The work of Lee Jin Woo stems from an environment of physical and mental exhaustion. He creates artworks of such depth by placing charcoal on acrylic-covered linen, covering the surface with hanji paper. The carbon in the paintings is compacted in transparent layers of Hanji paper and dragged with force by a metallic brush through a strenuous and repetitive movement. This process of subtracting charcoal imbues Lee Jin Woo's work with a transformative silence, turning the "object" into abstraction. A careful and prolonged observation is necessary to access the spiritual essence within. For Lee Jin Woo, artistic practice is more than a pursuit; it becomes a meditative journey, evolving into a life principle.
