A founding member of the Japanese Mono-ha movement, Lee Ufan arranges his installations and sculptures to emphasize the equal relationship between his artwork, the viewer, and the exhibition space. He often juxtaposes natural and industrial materials in site-specific installations; throughout various pieces, steel reeds appear to sprout from a patch of sand, heavy stones perch on cushions, and boulders bookend a towering metal arc. Subdued hues are another signature element of Lee’s work. Throughout his paintings, for example, the artist applies muted colors against light, plain backgrounds. His brushstrokes fade as they end, evoking East Asian calligraphy. Lee has exhibited in New York, London, Seoul, Tokyo, Versailles, and Washington, D.C., among other cities. In 2000, he won the UNESCO Prize at the Shanghai Biennale, and the following year, he was awarded the Praemium Imperiale by the Japan Art Association. His work belongs in prominent collections in Europe, North America, Australia, Asia, and South America, and has sold for seven figures at auction.
