Lee Gihun born in 1980 Korea, is a contemporary artist whose work bridges fantasy and reality, drawing on personal experiences shaped by Korea’s rapid industrialization and complex historical backdrop. Raised in a rural village nestled between national parks and industrial sites, Lee developed a deep sensitivity to the contrasts between nature and human progress—an ambivalence that defines his artistic vision. His paintings, often centered around masked children, explore themes of environmental fragility, empathy, and the psychological landscape of future generations.
Blending traditional Korean painting techniques with modern materials such as acrylic, watercolor, and oil bars, Lee creates rich, textured compositions that evoke both wonder and unease. Formerly an award-winning illustrator, he received the Children’s Jury Award at the Bratislava Illustration Biennale and was named Illustrator of the Year at the Bologna Book Fair. Today, he lives and works in his hometown in Korea, continuing to expand his practice through live painting performances and works that reflect pressing social and ecological concerns.
