INTRODUCTION

The paintings of Hyunmee Lee exhibit a profound expression of the emotional, spiritual, and cultural dimensions attainable through abstraction. Lee brings to her work the freedom of spontaneous gesture while maintaining a considered balance with conceptual intent. Her approach to painting is “without restraint. I use color, shape and gesture to express human identity with the absence of figures” Lee says.

Lee’s paintings are reflective of Korean calligraphic traditions that she learned in her youth. Not necessarily a literal reference, but rather a deep sensibility for the power of the painted gesture, its structure, texture, and grace. Integral to the creation of her works are the concepts of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The focus of these tenets is being in the middle, a place of non-judgment, and bringing forth spontaneity.

Born in Seoul, Korea in 1961, Lee completed her BFA in painting at Hong-Ik University and went on to receive her MA and MFA from the University of Sydney in Australia. Following a notably successful career in South Korea including more than fifty group shows, she came to the United States. Lee currently resides in Utah, where she is a Professor at Utah Valley State College.  Lee’s work has found international acclaim, and has been commissioned by collectors around the world