South Korean artist Lee Bae has opened a major solo exhibition titled "En attendant" at Museum SAN in Wonju, marking the first time the institution has dedicated its entire grounds to a single Korean artist. The retrospective spans thirty years of Lee’s career, showcasing his deep engagement with charcoal as a medium that bridges his heritage as a farmer’s son with the traditions of East Asian ink painting. The exhibition features monumental sculptures, installations, and video works that transform the museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces into a meditative journey.
This exhibition is significant as it highlights Lee Bae’s role in translating Korean cultural aesthetics—specifically the philosophy of ink and purification—into a contemporary global language. By utilizing charcoal, a material born from fire, Lee addresses modern anxieties regarding environmental disasters and wildfires while honoring the labor-intensive cycles of nature. The show serves as a homecoming for the Paris-based artist, reinforcing the connection between his rural origins and his status as a leading figure in the international art world.