Diren Lee builds a view on the world that cannot be explained by just one series of works. By releasing new series, mixing, and rebuilding it with her previous one, she creates her own world. The inner world created to heal her pain now describes her unique characters and symbolism through the homage of classical myths and orientalism. All her works is painted on canvas with a single brush, and such process is also linked to her desire to give the characters a living and breathing vitality. Lee is loved by public and art lovers through many collaborations and design products with businesses in Korea.
Diren Lee analyses stories of unconsciousness through dreams beyond self-consciousness, then expresses the essence of consciousness on canvas. All the characters in her dream are parts of spiritual energy. The characters are expressed as connected creatures, stressing the meaning of ‘one-being’. Her previous works concentrate on analysing inner scars, trying to expose and overcome her inner complex through the interpretation of dreams and unconsciousness. Her works refer to the journey of time during which she experiences mental trauma resulting from failure or humiliation and overcome emotions that led to anxiety. From this point on, her work begins to show a comfortable looking eyes and soft colours, telling the story of overcoming with the sweet and beautiful fruits that we meet after enduring suffering. She expresses her desire to convey comfort and warmth by hugging and making eye contact.
Selected exhibitions include: Global Song, Tang Contemporary Art, Hong Kong (2022); Back to Work, Waluso Gallery, U.K. (2021); Turning Point, Gallery Doo, South Korea (2021); Stay with us, Humax art room x Open gallery, South Korea (2020); Fruit, L Gallery, South Korea (2019); On those that disappear, MIEL Gallery, South Korea (2018).
Text courtesy Tang Contemporary Art.
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