Alexander Calder and Lee Ufan's Innovative Oeuvres at Kukje Gallery

Alexander Calder‘s iconic mobiles crossover with Lee Ufan‘s sculptures in a new exhibition at Kukje Gallery in Seoul.

Calder’s work has always been concerned with the transformative power of motion. In his colourful medleys of metal, wire, and paint the Pennsylvania-born sculptor explores the possibilities of dynamic spatial configurations.

It is a wonder to be surrounded by Kukje Gallery’s assembly of his hanging and standing mobiles.

Late works White Ordinary (1976), made in the year of his death, hang alongside works from the ‘40s and ‘50s. Caged Stone and Fourteen Dots (1948) is a particular favourite.

It’s wonderful to see a roomful of Calder’s gouache paintings, a practice he picked up in 1953 during a year-long stay in Aix-en-Provence and continued alongside his sculptures for the rest of his life.

Taking centre stage is the magnificent standing mobile Crag (1974), which perfectly encapsulates the delicate equilibrium he struck between spontaneous movement and grounded strength.

Across the courtyard in Kukje Gallery’s other two spaces and garden is a show dedicated to Lee Ufan—his first in Korea in 12 years outside Space Lee Ufan in Busan.

Six sculptures and four drawings fill the rooms. The curation—one sculpture illuminated in the centre of each of the six rooms—makes for an impactful presentation and allows you to silently observe and be part of the dialogue between the two objects which have defined this ‘Relatum’ series: stone/nature and steel plate/civilisation.

Drawing focus on two pioneers of contemporary art, Kukje Gallery’s programme juxtaposes each artists oeuvre and demonstrates the shared philosophy between the two. Calder’s eye for balance and Ufan’s mastery for capturing physicality deliver works which are full of energy and force.

CALDER and Lee Ufan are on view at Kukje Gallery in Seoul until 28 May 2023.

Main image: Alexander Calder, London (maquette) (1962). Sheet metal, wire and paint. 88.9 x 114.3 x 25.4 cm. © 2023 Calder Foundation, New York, Artists Rights Society, New York, SACK, Seoul. Courtesy Calder Foundation, New York and Art Resource, New York.