SunGallery proudly presents a solo show of Chungji Lee (1941–2021), the only Korean female abstract painter to have consistently pursued monochromatic painting over decades. This focused presentation highlights her most pivotal works from the 1980s and 1990s, a transitional period that laid the foundation for her distinctive "calligraphic abstraction." Lee's 1980s works are defined by their earthy monochrome palette and gestural techniques. Using rollers and knives, she layered, scraped, and marked the canvas, creating surfaces that merge physical action with meditative depth. Her Untitled and Ο series from this period embody the “visualization of action,” merging pigment and gesture into corporeal flatness. In the 1990s, Lee introduced script-like forms and a broader range of color. Her MUⓇUE series on view at Frieze demonstrates her evolution toward a more symbolic and philosophical abstraction. The coined term MUⓇUE (mur: wall, rue: street) reflects her enduring theme of transcendence bridging obstacles and seeking paths beyond them. These works epitomize her belief in the integration of matter and spirit, surface and depth. Critically acclaimed in international biennales and solo shows, Lee’s art defied gendered expectations and conventional styles, standing as a unique voice in Korean modernism. Though she passed away in 2021, her bold vision and spiritual force live on in her monumental canvases offering timeless reflections on life, struggle, and resolution. Sun Gallery presents her iconic 1990s MUⓇUE series, highlighting the depth of her artistic vision and showcasing an abstract world imbued with a timeless message of integration, still relevant in today’s society.
SunGallery at Frieze Seoul
3–6 September 2025 | Booth M14
COEX Hall C, D Seoul, Korea
VIP Preview
3 September | 11am-7pm
4 September | 11am–1pm
Public
4 September | 1pm–7pm
5–6 September | 11am-7pm
