Lee Bul, Vancouver

Published by ARTAND, 2015

Cyborgs, fragmented sculptures, and failed utopianism come together in ‘Lee Bul,’ the namesake exhibition of works by the eminent Korean artist which opened last week at Vancouver Art Gallery. Since rising to prominence in the 1990s as a key player in Seoul’s underground art scene, Lee is now commonly cited as one of the most significant artists of her generation.

Born in 1964, Lee’s innovative and experimental practice often references her experiences growing up under the military dictatorship of Park Chung-Hee. Lee’s acclaimed cyborg sculptures – futuristic, armour-clad, twisted bodies – are dystopian amalgamations of technological advancement and the human pursuit of perfection. Despite majoring in sculpture at the Hongik University in Korea, Lee has also developed an extensive oeuvre of performance works; just last year, she was awarded the Noon Award at the Gwangju Biennale for her experimental performance Abortion.

‘Lee Bul’ at Vancouver Art Gallery presents a survey of works by Lee, including large-scale sculptures and hundreds of drawings. Surreal and industrious, many of Lee’s recent works debunk ideas of utopia with visions of corruption and decay. Notably, the exhibition also includes a reconstruction of Lee’s studio, offering an insight into the ideas and processes that influence her idiosyncratic practice.  

Lee Bul
Vancouver Art Gallery
30 October 2015 – 10 January 2016