The beginning of 2012 marked the end of Dongwook Lee’s six month New York residency. The Doosan Gallery made the extended stay possible and now we get to see some of the work Mr. Lee created during his time in this country. The exhibition is titled “Love Me Tender” and runs in Chelsea through the middle of February.
Dongwook Lee, Mermaid, mixed media, 2004.
Dongwook Lee has put together some very powerful sculptures for his first solo exhibition on U.S. soil. His miniature mixed media figures each have an amazing amount of detail. The facial expressions and body forms were captured with a clarity that commands the viewer move in for close inspection and then to move in for an even closer look.
Dongwook Lee, I Know Everything, mixed media, 2010.
Lee’s characters find themselves hooked, tied, cubed, canned and worse. The countenance of these unfortunate positions linger long after viewing. The size difference between spectator and subject increases the empathic qualities that run through the works. It is a sensation that recalls witnessing childish cruelty to insects, all we can manage to say is, “stop!” before stealing that next licentious glance.
Dongwook Lee, Sailor, mixed media, 2004.
Dongwook Lee
Love Me Tender
19 January – 18 February 2012
Doosan Gallery
NYC
Images courtesy of Doosan Gallery.
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