Sculptor Hyun Woo Lee's work begins by stripping objects of their use. He asks what remains once an object's name is erased. Forms that look like the eggs of alien creatures, or insects that have just shed their skin. Standing before his work feels like stepping into a sci-fi film. What remains in that space is the feel of the material itself, its materiality.
That is why he calls sculpture 'the imaging of matter that is neither defined nor named.' In his early works, he bound together western red cedar, goose wings and aluminum. He has also bolted stalactites and crystal balls together. An artist whose boundaries cannot be predicted. The combination of materials alone reveals his worldview.
Asked how he wants to be remembered as an artist, he answered briefly: 'Someone honest and sensuous.' Today, he wrapped up the exhibition Version 0: Prototype with Nike. True to its title, it was a space that explored the materiality of things before completion. Curious about the work that digs into his essence? Keep an eye on his next move.
What do you think remains in the place where an object's name has been erased?
That is why he calls sculpture 'the imaging of matter that is neither defined nor named.' In his early works, he bound together western red cedar, goose wings and aluminum. He has also bolted stalactites and crystal balls together. An artist whose boundaries cannot be predicted. The combination of materials alone reveals his worldview.
Asked how he wants to be remembered as an artist, he answered briefly: 'Someone honest and sensuous.' Today, he wrapped up the exhibition Version 0: Prototype with Nike. True to its title, it was a space that explored the materiality of things before completion. Curious about the work that digs into his essence? Keep an eye on his next move.
What do you think remains in the place where an object's name has been erased?
FAQ
What kind of work does sculptor Lee Hyunwoo create?
Lee Hyunwoo strips away function and erases names from objects. He explores the materiality—the inherent feel of the material itself—and defines sculpture as 'imaging matter that remains unregulated and unnamed.' He works with unpredictable materials like red cedar, goose wings, aluminum, stalactites, and crystal balls.
What was Lee Hyunwoo's Nike exhibition about?
Lee Hyunwoo presented 《Version 0: Prototype》 in collaboration with Nike. True to its title, the exhibition explored materiality before completion and recently concluded.
How does Lee Hyunwoo define himself?
When asked how he wants to be remembered, Lee Hyunwoo answered 'an honest and sensuous person.' His work reveals the essence of matter through unpredictable combinations of materials.
