East Winds 84011003
- Transcript
- Lee Ufan uses a style that reveals the momentary and free nature of brushstrokes. This is likely influenced by his early training in calligraphy and his major in Eastern painting at university. Calligraphy requires repetitive practice and adherence to rules, but Lee brought the spontaneous and one-time nature of calligraphy brushstrokes into his paintings.
In his “From Dots” and “From Lines” series, Lee repeatedly dotted points and drew lines until they became brushstrokes. Though he used canvas instead of traditional hanji paper, his approach was closely aligned with calligraphy. Japanese art critic Nakahara Yusuke described Lee’s work as between "drawing" and "writing."
In the mid-1980s, the series "With Winds" and "East Winds" reflect an even freer nature of his brushstrokes, sometimes resembling scribbles or unfinished strokes. Lee did not strictly adhere to mineral pigments, but his unique style remained, with brushes and pigments serving as traces of his body and intellect, supported by a refined sense of control. This is how Lee’s art blends spontaneity and discipline in a unique expression.
Lee Ufan
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