Lee Ufan, a renowned artist, philosopher, and thinker, is celebrating his 90th year with a series of exhibitions that showcase his unique artistic journey and perspective. His work, deeply rooted in the exploration of time, space, and the relationship between the made and the unmade, offers a captivating insight into the evolution of his artistic practice.
The Evolution of Lee Ufan's Artistic Language
Lee Ufan's artistic journey began in the late 1960s as a founding member of the Mono-ha movement, a group of artists who challenged the boundaries between art and the world. Their philosophy, influenced by the socio-political uprisings of the time, emphasized the importance of exchange and dialogue over individual identity.
One of the key aspects of Lee's early work was his focus on sculptures and happenings, often involving the violent and destructive act of breaking glass. This was a deliberate rejection of the idea of art as almighty, a critique of the artist's ego, and a way to engage with the political and social issues of the time.
As he spent more time in Europe and the United States, Lee began to question and learn from the art scenes there. He studied European Modernism and found inspiration in Barnett Newman's spatial paintings, which led him to explore the expression of time through his own body and breath. This marked a shift in his practice, as he began to create paintings that captured the temporal process, a departure from the violent installations of his early days.
The Power of Ritual and Breath
The ritual of holding one's breath and then exhaling while painting, a technique Lee learned from his childhood calligraphy training, became an integral part of his process. This biological act, shared by all creatures, connects the artist to the natural world and allows for a more intuitive and expressive mark-making.
Lee's paintings from this period, such as the 'From Point' and 'From Line' series, are a testament to this unique approach. By focusing on the act of breathing and the systematic application of paint, he created works that captured the passage of time and the order within chaos.
Breaking Free and Embracing Chaos
In the 1980s, Lee felt a need to break free from the constraints of order and system. He began to create more gestural and tumultuous paintings, the 'From Winds' and 'With Winds' series, which introduced a new level of chaos and energy into his work.
This shift was a response to his growing discomfort with the strict systems he had imposed on himself. By embracing the wind, a force from the outside world, Lee's paintings became more dynamic and expressive, reflecting a new phase in his artistic journey.
The Dialogue Between Presence and Absence
In his more recent 'Dialogue' paintings, Lee explores the relationship between what is painted and what is left untouched. He aims to establish a new form of expression that goes beyond himself, combining the painted and the unpainted to create a dimension that is both temporal and spatial.
This dialogue between presence and absence is a key theme in Lee's work, and it extends to his sculptures as well. By combining natural materials with industrial ones, he creates works that bridge the gap between the made and the unmade, inviting viewers to consider the relationship between what is seen and what is not.
The Power of Location and In-Situ Art
Lee's exhibitions in Venice and New York showcase his work in unique and meaningful ways. The in-situ paintings, created on the floor and on the wall, offer a different experience to the viewer, connecting the art with the space and the earth.
The use of local stones in his sculptures, such as 'Sky Road', further emphasizes this connection to place. By using ordinary stones, Lee highlights their supreme power and their role in human culture and civilization.
The Role of Color and Expression
Color plays a significant role in Lee's work, evolving over time. From his early monochrome paintings to the vibrant colors of his 'Dialogue' series, Lee has used color to communicate with viewers and to create a more dynamic and expressive language.
As he aged, Lee recognized the importance of engaging with the outside world and the colors of nature. This led to a more vibrant and energetic use of color, a departure from the subdued tones of his earlier works.
The Power of Art to Question and Inspire
Lee's belief in the power of art to change the world has evolved over time. While Mono-ha was initially a movement of denial, Lee now sees art as a way to invite people to question themselves and their surroundings.
By creating works that are in situ and connected to location, Lee encourages viewers to engage with the art directly, to experience it, and to think about their own lives and future dreams. In an age of AI and instant answers, Lee's art reminds us of the importance of process, time, and the power of living.
Conclusion
Lee Ufan's artistic journey is a testament to the power of questioning, ambiguity, and the constant pursuit of a unique artistic voice. His work, with its focus on time, space, and the relationship between the made and the unmade, offers a profound and thought-provoking experience. Through his paintings and sculptures, Lee invites us to reflect on our own existence, our connection to the world, and the potential for art to inspire and transform.
