Bridging Divides with Brushstrokes: Korean Artist Ukn Lee Captivates Berlin
Published June 5, 2025 08:35 PM
Jason Yim
BERLIN — June 3, 2025 — In a stirring evening of art, culture, and conversation, Korean painter Ukn Lee took center stage at the Freie Universität Berlin, offering a rare glimpse into his powerful artistic vision shaped by a lifetime straddling divided homelands and a reunified Germany.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
The event, hosted by the King Sejong Institute Berlin (Prof. Dr. Eun-Jeung Lee) as part of its quarterly cultural series “Kultursalon: Kunst, Kultur und Dialog”, drew over 70 attendees — including university students, art lovers, and members of the local community — for a 90-minute lecture and intimate discussion.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
Lee, whose career spans over three decades in Berlin, shared the personal and political inspirations behind his evocative oil paintings, many of which are uniquely rendered on traditional Korean hanbok fabric. The lecture took the form of a conversation with Professor Lee, bringing warmth and depth to the exploration of his art.
One of the highlights of the evening was a special guest appearance by renowned photographer Wolfgang Lorenz, who has extensively documented Lee’s works. Lorenz spoke about the way light and perspective transform Lee’s paintings, describing them as “living canvases” that defy stillness.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
After the talk, attendees gathered around select pieces from Lee’s collection on display, engaging in direct dialogue with the artist — with many students eagerly photographing the moment.
Looking ahead, Ukn Lee will unveil a new series of previously unseen works at the university’s library gallery from July 1 through September 30, offering Berlin another opportunity to experience his evolving perspective.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
Lee made headlines in 2024 as the first Korean artist to hold a four-month solo exhibition at the prestigious Schlossmuseum in Bad Pyrmont, receiving widespread acclaim. With exhibitions currently running in six locations across Korea and Prague, and bookings lined up through 2027, his global profile continues to soar.
But for Lee, art is more than exhibition — it’s activism. He believes that artists have a duty to confront Korea’s divided reality. Over the past two years, he has revisited border towns like Pocheon and Cheorwon, seeking to transform these spaces of tension into arenas for international artistic exchange. Currently, he is working to bring German municipal leaders and fellow artists to Korea’s DMZ regions for an ambitious cross-cultural exhibition.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
“Art must speak where words fail,” Lee said. “It must challenge borders — both real and imagined.”
In Berlin, that message resonated loud and clear.
Sayart / Jason Yim yimjongho1969@gmail.com
BERLIN — June 3, 2025 — In a stirring evening of art, culture, and conversation, Korean painter Ukn Lee took center stage at the Freie Universität Berlin, offering a rare glimpse into his powerful artistic vision shaped by a lifetime straddling divided homelands and a reunified Germany.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
The event, hosted by the King Sejong Institute Berlin (Prof. Dr. Eun-Jeung Lee) as part of its quarterly cultural series “Kultursalon: Kunst, Kultur und Dialog”, drew over 70 attendees — including university students, art lovers, and members of the local community — for a 90-minute lecture and intimate discussion.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
Lee, whose career spans over three decades in Berlin, shared the personal and political inspirations behind his evocative oil paintings, many of which are uniquely rendered on traditional Korean hanbok fabric. The lecture took the form of a conversation with Professor Lee, bringing warmth and depth to the exploration of his art.
One of the highlights of the evening was a special guest appearance by renowned photographer Wolfgang Lorenz, who has extensively documented Lee’s works. Lorenz spoke about the way light and perspective transform Lee’s paintings, describing them as “living canvases” that defy stillness.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
After the talk, attendees gathered around select pieces from Lee’s collection on display, engaging in direct dialogue with the artist — with many students eagerly photographing the moment.
Looking ahead, Ukn Lee will unveil a new series of previously unseen works at the university’s library gallery from July 1 through September 30, offering Berlin another opportunity to experience his evolving perspective.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
Lee made headlines in 2024 as the first Korean artist to hold a four-month solo exhibition at the prestigious Schlossmuseum in Bad Pyrmont, receiving widespread acclaim. With exhibitions currently running in six locations across Korea and Prague, and bookings lined up through 2027, his global profile continues to soar.
But for Lee, art is more than exhibition — it’s activism. He believes that artists have a duty to confront Korea’s divided reality. Over the past two years, he has revisited border towns like Pocheon and Cheorwon, seeking to transform these spaces of tension into arenas for international artistic exchange. Currently, he is working to bring German municipal leaders and fellow artists to Korea’s DMZ regions for an ambitious cross-cultural exhibition.
Courtesy of Ukn Lee
“Art must speak where words fail,” Lee said. “It must challenge borders — both real and imagined.”
