By Honorary Reporter Angelique van Dyk from South Africa

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in South Africa through June 30 is hosting "Lee Jung-Seop : Art of Family and Longing," an eponymous exhibition of printed replicas of the works of one of Korea's leading modern artists. I attended the event on its opening day on March 18.

Organized by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, the exhibition showcases a selection of Lee's works including his depictions of bulls, family portraits and dreamlike compositions that reflect his emotional depth. His art captures his struggle, his love for his family and his fight to keep creating art against the odds. 

Three distinct periods of Lee's art are presented chronologically. The first period was while he was in Japan from the 1930s to 40s, he produced work reflecting joy and discovery. After marrying a Japanese woman who became his muse, he created pieces on postcards and small canvases, depicting whimsical scenes of animals and family life. 

Lee Jung Seop painted "Bull" during the Korean War, and its vivid colors express his hope for reunion with his family. (Angelique van Dyk)

The second period from the 1940s to 50s marked a significant shift in his work. After fleeing to Jeju Island with his family, Lee was later separated from them due to increasing hardships and during this time, he created his "Bull" series, with the animal serving as a visual metaphor for struggle and perseverance.

In his final period, Lee took on a more somber tone in his works. Living in Seoul amid financial hardship and loneliness, he created silver foil paintings using cigarette wrappers.

With nothing but scraps, he created powerful but delicate images of family, animals and abstract forms onto tinfoil wrappers.   

Lee Jung Seop's life and art through June 30 are on display at the KCC in South Africa's exhibition "Lee Jung-Seop: Art of Family and Longing." (Angelique van Dyk)

I felt this exhibition was more than just a display of art; it was an intimate journey through Lee's personal story, featuring his most moving pieces from different periods ranging from early postcards to foil paintings and his "Bull" series.

Lee Jung Seop's exhibit runs through June 30 in KCC in SA. (Korean Cultural Centre in South Africa)

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.