As a lifelong admirer of art and a connoisseur of the beautiful, I can confidently say that Lee ShinJa’s work has left me utterly spellbound. Born during a time when artistic opportunities for women were scarce, Lee defied both gender and genre norms, carving out a unique niche in fiber art with her groundbreaking techniques.
Lee ShinJa’s tapestries span from the peak to the base of the Uljin mountains. Her work intertwines personal narratives and intricate abstract patterns, creating something breathtakingly beautiful. The upcoming exhibition, titled “Weaving the Dawn“, will display Lee’s fiber artworks spanning over seven decades. This solo show highlights Lee’s innovative use of thread as a medium, marking her New York debut at Tina Kim Gallery.
Lee’s technical innovations and commitment to expanding the realms of fiber art are widely acknowledged. Her groundbreaking style is evident in her early pieces, where appliqué, dyeing methods, and puncturing techniques create a sense of tension across textiles. The ‘Spirit of Mountains’ collection subtly blends elements of nature into abstraction. Although the series embodies her work, the upcoming exhibition titled Weaving the Dawn will present initial sketches, historical documents, and elaborate tapestries together.
Lee, who was born in Korea during the Japanese occupation era, learned about thread from the influential women in her life. Many textile practices were based on craft or household necessity, and Lee noticed a strong pull towards embroidery among women due to the limited artistic avenues for them at that time. Breaking away from both gender and genre conventions, she has gained widespread recognition for her contributions to fiber art, even though it was still an emerging field in Korea.
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At the age of 94, the pioneering artist remains captivated by the picturesque beauty of her childhood town, expressing it in radiant tapestries. “Growing up in a rural setting, I can still recall the vivid hues of dawn and dusk,” she muses. “I have always held that nature is a powerful source of creativity. Yet, I continue to feel that my art has not fully captured the charm of my hometown.” By depicting tranquil landscapes within rectangular window-like frames, each piece in her collection titled “Weaving the Dawn” invites viewers into her soft, nostalgic vision of home.
Weaving the Dawn is now on view at Tina Kim Gallery in New York. Select works will be presented from September 4 through September 7 at Booth B19 at Frieze Seoul.
Tina Kim Gallery
525 W 21st St,
New York, NY 10011
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2024-08-27 19:56