Sun Lee

I’m an experimental Hanji artist creating a new form of art called “Hanji Painting Lamp” using traditional Korean paper. My artwork delves into human psychology and complex relationships, challenging assumptions and stereotypes by evoking emotions such as self-existence, loneliness, and isolation.

In my artworks, I primarily focus on duality to encourage self-observation. This duality is expressed either as the content of the painting itself or by inverting the direction of objects within the painting. Additionally, the Hanji lamp itself takes on different images depending on the presence of light. The darkness felt in the absence of light transitions into a bright image the moment the lamp is turned on. Even while the lamp is on, the image changes with the amount of daylight, transforming into different colors and sensations.

The way we perceive the same thing can vary from person to person. Even such perception doesn’t always evoke the same feeling. Depending on the mind state, one may experience different emotions. The transformation of tranquility into loneliness and intimacy into obsession ultimately relies on the perception of the same phenomenon. I aspire for my work to act as a medium through which viewers can deeply reflect on the nature of their inner state and the solace they yearn for.