Lee Jae Sam (b.1960) from Korea graduated from Gangnung National University in Korea with a degree in Fine Arts (1984) and later pursued a Master's degree at Hongik University in Korea (1989). A true artist at heart, he believes that a painting is an endless journey of confession and monologue. His renowned charcoal-on-canvas works use charcoal to reflect his moral self-consciousness, which is his idea of returning to the very fundamentals of painting. The charcoal texture in his works absorbs all the light around it, bringing out its richness and depth, and revealing the layers of colour held within. Lee calls his charcoal 'black jelly' because the monotones of charcoal do in fact contain various colours on the inside. Emanating stillness and serenity, the darkness from the images of his works often brings about an air of cleansing calm to those who view it, and a quiet energy of balance.


Lee takes inspiration from aspects of nature such as wind and moonlight. He also examines negativity and the space between objects where there are no rigid lines or darkness - he attempts to grasp boundaries between objects in his artistic practice. However, his projects do not mean an escape from reality by desertion or corruption of visible meanings. Rather, his projects are more persuasive for the fact that they seek and embrace transcendence in reality.
Lee has exhibited internationally in museums, galleries and art fairs, with his works held in notable collections throughout Korea and across the globe.

Collection

Gyeonggido Museum of Art, Ansan

2010
SETEC, Seoul, Korea
JANGHEUNG Art Park, Yangju, Korea

2006
Simply Beautiful Kunsthaus Centre
PasquArt Centre d'Art, Biel/Bienne

2005
IEYOUNG Contemporary Art Museum, Youngin, Korea

2000
POSCO Art Museum, Seoul, Korea