Commission

Lee Seongheon

Artist

Lee Seongheon @woongle_, the sixth friend with WWF, defines the character "Woongle" and its enviroment with three keywords: human, emotion and society. The artist who seeks sanctuary in the alter ego "Woongle" compares our current society to the meticulously and thoroughly constructed world of "Woongle".

Warrior by Woongle
2023.3.31 - 2023.4.16

is Seongheon Lee's first solo exhibition and the first step in understanding the world of "Woongle" that the artist has built. Woongle (meaning "water well" in Gangwon dialect) donning an ancient artifact that can be found in Aztec and Mayan civilizations is a primitive like figure who retains the essence of innocence and vulnurablility.

Just like an animal recently hatched from an egg, Woongle has no power to face its cold world. To survive the world, Woongle wears a mask and lifts a spear. The spear is to attack and to protect itself, while the mask is to both hide its identity and give itself a sense of purpose. The delicate Woongle can only stand up for itself against the outside world through the existence of its mask and spear.

How about us? What we would we use in place of Woongle's spear and mask in this world we live in? And with what weapon and how do we want to stand up to this world? Through his work, Seongheon Lee hopes that the viewer can also ask and seek answers just as the artist, himself, is seeking in turn.