Presenting Lee Chun-hwan's Ink Wash Painting Series at the '2021 Busan International Gallery Art Fair (BAMA)'

On Friday, April 9, the 'Busan International Gallery Art Fair (2021 BAMA, hereafter BAMA)' showcased a series of ink wash paintings by artist Lee Chun-hwan (65).

Since debuting in the art world in his early twenties with literati paintings and ink wash works, Lee Chun-hwan has incorporated Western painting materials and techniques to present new directions in his work each year. At this art fair, the artist exhibited about 16 pieces, including new ink wash paintings, revealing to the public his artistic journey spanning over 40 years.

His works filled the 'B20' booth at BEXCO Exhibition Hall 1 in Busan. The booth offered a space to appreciate ink wash paintings, ink wash with light color, and the new 'Light+Texture' series, focusing on the changes in his work from earlier to later periods. Centered around his representative work (2005), most of the ink wash series consisted of 2000s works distinguished by the gradation of ink and calm tones.

Additionally, works such as (2005), (2005), and (2005), which depict mountains, seas, and rivers, convey the artist’s interest and affectionate gaze toward nature through specific locations he personally observed and experienced. While earlier works delicately expressed inspiration from natural landscapes, the 'Energy of the Mountain' series demonstrates a more advanced technique through simplified colors and forms. The 2021 new works representing the mountain at dawn and capturing the autumn mood showcase unique materials and methods using diluted stone powder.

Some of the pieces exhibited were also revealed at the ink wash painting exhibition "The Sound of Nature" held at Seojeong Art Center last March. At the time, the artist shared, "The origin of my work is the hometown where I was born and raised. As I continue researching materials and techniques, imagining that place in my mind gives me the strength to create something new." He added, "Participating in a large-scale art fair provides an opportunity to share my artistic world with more people, which I greatly anticipate."

Meanwhile, BAMA, a large-scale event hosted by the Busan Gallery Association, marked its 10th edition this year with a record scale, featuring 174 galleries including 40 from the Busan and Gyeongnam regions and 13 overseas galleries such as Mizuma Gallery from Tokyo. Last year, due to COVID-19, the event was postponed to August, and the fair held just before the resurgence of the pandemic attracted about 50,000 visitors and recorded total sales of 6 billion KRW. Although hosted by the Busan Gallery Association, the strategy to actively invite galleries from Seoul and abroad to elevate the overall level and vitality of the event proved successful. This year, BAMA expects record-breaking achievements surpassing last year’s scale since its establishment.