Doowon Lee b. 1982

Doowon Lee is an artist who eschewed formal art education in favor of traveling the world, drawing inspiration and materials from his emotions, experiences, and nature. Growing up, he was profoundly influenced by his father, a disciple of the renowned Namjonghwa master Uijae Huh Baek-ryun; his mother, who worked in the fashion industry; and his aunt, a graduate of the Beaux-Arts in France. Holding a cosmology that views nature, animals, and humans as one, Lee creates a humorous world free from the constraints of traditional forms and distinctions by seamlessly blending artificial and natural elements. His work incorporates natural fibers such as wool from Pakistan, hemp fabric from Nepal, and khadi cotton from India, combined with various locally sourced materials and Korean ink. In 2023, Lee achieved significant milestones, including a solo exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London and being selected as a representative artist for the Busan Biennale 2024. He continues to actively engage both domestically and internationally.