Reevaluating Lee Ungno's Significance in the East Asian Art World

Korean and Chinese Scholars to Hold Symposium at Daejeon Museum of Art on April 25

Photo by Lee Ungno Research Institute

An opportunity is being created to expand the academic foundations of artist Lee Ungno (1904–1989), who modernized the interpretation of East Asian art, and to shed new light on the significance of East Asian art in art history.

The Lee Ungno Research Institute, part of the Daejeon Goam Art & Culture Foundation (headed by Lee Gapjae), will host an international academic symposium on the theme "Lee Ungno in Paris and Chinese Painters: East Asian Art Networks and International Expansion" at 1 p.m. on April 25 in the auditorium of the Daejeon Museum of Art.

The symposium will begin with a keynote address by Dr. Hyunsook Kim, director of the KISO Art Research Institute, tracing the footsteps of Asian artists active in the "École de Paris" after World War II. Many art historians representing China and Singapore will also participate.

Key presentations will include: ▲ Dr. Tan Shenguang, Chief Curator of the Tsinghua University Art Museum, on "The Unity of Calligraphy and Painting: Zhang Daqian, Lee Ungno, and the Code of Innovation in 20th Century East Asian Art"; ▲ Dr. Qu Lian, Chief Curator of the Zhejiang University Art & Archaeology Museum, on "A Study of Zao Wou-Ki's Prints During His Time in France"; and ▲ Dr. Cai Heng, Chief Curator of the National Gallery Singapore, on "Chinese Painters of the École de Paris."

Additionally, ▲ Dr. Sohyun Lee, Research Professor at Duksung Women's University, will present on "From Brushwork to Tactility: Lee Ungno's Cross-Media Approach Based on the Unity of Calligraphy and Painting"; and ▲ Dr. Shao Xiaopeng, Exhibition Director at the National Art Museum of China, will analyze "The International Development of Chu Teh-Chun's Art."

The comprehensive discussion will feature Professor Emeritus Kucheol Kang of Hannam University and Professor Lianmian of the China Academy of Art.

The Lee Ungno Research Institute expects that this symposium will serve as a stepping stone for the successful hosting of the special exhibition "Lee Ungno and Friends in Asia" (working title), which is scheduled to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Korea-China relations in January 2027.

Based on historical records showing that Lee Ungno founded the "East Asian Art School" at the Musée Cernuschi in Paris in 1964, with Zao Wou-Ki and Zhang Daqian as co-sponsors, the symposium aims to spotlight the multidimensional international network among these figures.

Lee Gapjae, President of the Daejeon Goam Art & Culture Foundation, stated, "This symposium will be a meaningful occasion to reaffirm the artistic world of Lee Ungno within the context of Asian and global art history," and added, "We will continue to enhance the international stature of Lee Ungno studies through ongoing international academic exchanges."

Advance registration for the event is available through the Lee Ungno Museum website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.