SIA SANGBOK LEE
Sia Sangbok Lee is an artist who explores cosmic space and the energy of life through painting, grounded in the languages of abstraction and conceptual art.
Her work begins with an attempt to visualize invisible forces—namely life, time, and the circulation of energy flowing through space. She investigates the spiritual connection between the self and the universe as a central theme of her practice.
Her compositions are characterized by intense color, organic movement, and brushstrokes that expand as if in an explosion. These elements create a sense of depth that evokes the birth and dissolution of the cosmos, as well as the generation and evolution of life. Her paintings do not remain within the bounds of formal abstraction; rather, they invite contemplation of the boundaries between material and immaterial, sensation and existence.
Born in Korea and currently based in New York, she received both her BFA and MFA in Painting from Hongik University in Korea, and later pursued graduate studies in fine art at the University of Illinois in the United States.
Integrating Eastern and Western formal languages and philosophical thought, she has developed her own distinctive artistic world. Through painting, she continues to expand the vitality and energetic resonance of life on a cosmic scale into powerful visual experiences.
In 2019, she received the Gold Prize at the Osaka Art Critics Association Open Competition in Japan and was invited to exhibit at the Salon Grands et Jeunes d’Aujourd’hui at the Grand Palais in Paris.
Sia Sangbok Lee 는 추상과 개념미술의 언어를 기반으로 우주적 공간과 생명의 에너지를 회화적으로 탐구하는 작가이다.
그녀의 작업은 눈에 보이지 않는 힘, 즉 생명, 시간, 공간 속에서 흐르는 에너지의 순환을 시각화 하려는 시도에서 출발하며, 자아와 우주 사이의 깊은 영적 연결을 주제로 탐구하는 작가이다.
작품 속 화면은 강렬한 색채와 유기적인 흐름, 그리고 폭발하듯 확장되는 붓질로 구성되며, 이는 마치 우주의 탄생과 소멸 혹은 생명의 생성과 진화를 상징하는 듯한 깊이를 형성한다. 그녀의 회화는 단순한 추상적 형식에 머물지 않고, 물질과 비물질, 감각과 존재 사이의 경계를 사유하도록 유도한다.
그녀는 한국 태생으로 뉴욕에서 활동하는 작가이며, 한국의 홍익대학교에서 회화 전공으로 학사와 석사를 취득하였으며, 이후 미국 일리노이 대학교에서 미술분야의 대학원 과정을 수학하였다.
그녀는 동서양의 조형 언어와 철학적 사유를 통합하며, 그녀만의 독창적인 예술세계를 발전시켜 왔으며, 회화를 통해 우주적 스케일의 생명성과 에너지의 파동을 강렬한 화면 속에 회화적 울림으로 확장해 가고 있다.
2019년 일본 오사카 미술평론가협회 주관 공모전 금상 수상 및 프랑스 그랑 팔레 Salon Grands et Jeunes d’Aujourd’hui 전시에 초대되었습니다.
EDUCATION
1993-1994
Post MFA, Department of Painting, University of Illinois, USA
1990-1992
MFA, Department of Painting, Hongik University, Seoul, Korea
1979-1983
BFA, Department of Painting, Hongik University, Seoul, Korea
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024
Kate Oh Gallery (New York, NY, USA)
2021
Naeil Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
SOM Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
2020
Sinsang Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
2019
Jaunje Gallery (Goyang city, South Korea)
2017
Artwall Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
2016
Hyehwa Art Center (Seoul, South Korea)
2015
Seorak Artist’s Colony Public Art Museum (Inje, South Korea)
Kring Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
2009
World Fine Art Gallery (New York, NY, USA)
2008
Ramp Gallery (McLean, VA, USA)
Georgetown Gallery (Washington DC, USA)
2005
Orchard Gallery (Bethesda, MD, USA)
Renaissance Design (Raleigh, NC, USA)
2004
EOS Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
2002
Chongro Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
2000
Art Space HAP Gallery (Hiroshima, Japan)
1999
Chongro Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
1997
Moin Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
1996
Choi Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
1994
Levis Faculty Center (University of Illinois, USA)
1992
Batanggol Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
1990
Kawan Hoon Gallery (Seoul, South Korea)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025
Korean New York Artist Association (Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, NJ, USA)
2025 Spring Art Exhibition (KAAGNY, New York, USA)
Golden Jubilee Art Exchange Exhibition (Glenview Mansion, Rockville, MD, USA)
Roundcube Contemporary (Cosmos Gallery, New York, USA)
Dream Chaser (Art Mora Gallery, Ridgefield Park, NJ, USA)
KNYAA International Exhibition (Kimboseong Art Center, SOM Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Wow Yeoljeon (Eland Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
2023
New York Arts Expo (Town Hall, Flushing, NY, USA)
Bang Exhibition (Paris Koh Fine Arts, Fort Lee, NJ, USA)
Hanji Show (acc gallery, Tenafly, NJ, USA)
2022
Philgrim Association Exhibition (Namsong Art Museum, Gapyeong, South Korea)
Insa Art Exhibition (G.ART Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Korean Woman Fine Artists Association (Geumboseong Art Museum, Seoul, South Korea)
Kum Bo Sung Art Museum (Seoul, South Korea)
2021
Perspective of Contemporary Art (Conseil Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
The Story of Pyeongchang-dong (Qualia Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
2020
Here & Now (ab Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Winter Festival (Art Space Qualia, Seoul, South Korea)
2019
Now & Future (Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan)
China Central TV Invitation Exhibit (the Cultural Palace of Nationalities, China)
China Central Exhibition (Qianyuan Xiangyu Hotel, Yeun Gil, China)
Osaka Invitation Exhibit (the Cultural Palace of Nationalities, China)
Invitation of Vie et Creation (Jaunje Gallery, Bonsalang Gallery, South Korea)
Monochrome of Creation (The Forest Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
7040 Exhibition (Hoseo Art Space, Seoul, South Korea)
A Happy Accompany (Insa Art Plaza, Seoul, South Korea)
Gihenyeon Exhibition (Godo Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
100 Artists of 2019 (Art Space gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
14th Annual Celebration Korean American Day (Rayburn House Office Building, USA)
Seoul Stamp picture Exhibition (National Assembly Hall, Seoul, South Korea)
Vie et Creation (Art Celsi Gallery, Yongsan Gallery, South Korea)
Expansion of Contemporary Art (Insa Art Plaza, Seoul, South Korea)
Tomorrow different from Yesterday (Museum of Yang Pung, South Korea)
2018
World Art Festival for Pyeong Chang Olympics (Korea Art Center, Seoul, South Korea)
Vie et Creation (Ieum Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Japan-Korea Modern art IMPACT Exhibition (Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan)
100 Artist of 2018 (Art Space Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Seek for Modern Art (Palais de Seoul, Seoul, South Korea)
Nowon Fine Arts Association (Insa Art Plaza, Seoul, South Korea)
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association (Josunilbo Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Korean Contemporary Arts in Uzbekistan (Gallery of Fine Arts, Tashkent, Uzbekistan)
2017
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association (Seoul Arts Center, Seoul, South Korea)
2016
Vie et Creation (H Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Gwanghwamun International Art Fair (Sejong Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea)
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association (Gallery Misulsegye, Seoul, South Korea)
Nowon Fine Arts Association (Insa Art Plaza, Seoul, South Korea)
Korea-China International Art Exhibition (Gallery Sinsang, Seoul, South Korea)
2015
Independence 70 K-Art Festival (Korean Cultural Center, Beijing, China)
Nowon Fine Arts Association (Buk Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea)
Today of Korean Art (Villa Clerici Milano, Italy)
Borderfest Korean Fine Arts Show (State Farm Arena VIP Room, Hidalgo, TX, USA)
Celebratory Exhibition for the 11st of Nowon Culture & Arts Center 2015 (Nowon Culture & Arts Center, Seoul, South Korea)
2014
Vie et Creation (Hyehwa Art Center, Seoul, South Korea)
Handmade Korea Fair (Coex, Seoul, South Korea)
We are Peacemaker (Gallery Sinsang, Buk Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea)
2008
McLean Chamber of Commerce Art Gala (McLean, VA, USA)
Another Beginning (Korea Monitor Art Gallery, Annandale, VA, USA)
Korean American Artists Association (Rockville, MD, USA)
2007
MPA artfest (McLean Central Park, VA, USA)
Korean American Artists Association Exhibition (Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, USA)
2006
Holiday Exhibition (Orchard Gallery, MD, USA)
2004
Global Art in New York (World Trade Art Gallery, NY, USA)
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association Exhibition (Seoul Art Center, Seoul, South Korea)
2003
Hongik Woman Artists Association (Art Center of Hongik University, Seoul, South Korea)
Boondang Artists Festival (Samsung Plaza Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
2002
Moderne Malerie aus Korea (Galerie Forum, Wiesbaden, Germany)
Material of Paper (Chongro Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association Exhibition (Seoul Arts Center, Seoul, South Korea)
Hongik Woman Artists Association (Art Center of Hongik University, Seoul, South Korea)
Boondang Artists Festival (Samsung Plaza Gallery, Sungnam, South Korea)
2001
Korean Paper Artists Association (Batanggol Art Center, Yangpyung, South Korea)
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association Exhibition (Seoul Arts Center, Seoul, South Korea)
Hongik Woman Artists Association (Seoul City Museum, Seoul, South Korea)
Boondang Artists Festival (Samsung Plaza Gallery, Sungnam, South Korea)
2000
Jeonju Paper Culture Festival (Hyundai Department Store, Jeonju, South Korea)
Korean Paper Artists Association (Sang Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association (National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea)
Hongik Woman Artists Association (Chongro Gallery, Seoul, South Korea)
Bundang Artists Festival (Samsung Plaza Gallery, Sungnam, South Korea)
1990
Salon Grands et Jeunes D’Aujod’hui (Grand Paris, Paris, France)
ART FAIRS
2021
IAAS : Incheon Asia Art Show (Songdo Convention Center, Incheon, South Korea)
2019
22th Beijing Art Expo (Beijing Exhibition Center, China)
Ansan International Art Fair (Ansan Arts Center, South Korea)
2018
KIAF Art Seoul (Coex, Seoul, South Korea)
Contemporary Istanbul (Istanbul, Turkey)
Singapore International Art Fair (Suntec Convention Centre, Singapore)
2017
Contemporary Istanbul (Istanbul, Turkey)
Asia Contemporary Art Show (Hong Kong)
2016
Seoul Open Art Fair (Coex, Seoul, South Korea)
Seoul Art Show (Coex, Seoul, South Korea)
Blanc Bleu Hotel Art Fair (Grand Ambassador Hotel, Seoul, South Korea)
2015
Beijing Art Expo (Beijing Exhibition Center, China)
2007
MPA Artfest (McLean, VA, USA)
AWARDS
2019
3.1 Independence movement 100th Anniversary Stamp Prize (The National Assembly Culture, Sport and Tourism Chairman, South Korea)
Japan Osaka Contest Gold Prize (Japan De Pan Art Critic Association, Japan)
China Central Exhibit Contest Art Critic Prize (China Central Exhibit Contest Committee, China)
2016
Korea Peace Contribution Grand Prize – Cultural Art & Painting (Korea Peace Contribution Grand Prize Organizing Committee, South Korea)
Customer Satisfaction & Korea Representative Brand Grand Prize – Cultural Art (Sports Dong-A, South Korea)
Best Innovation Business & Brand – Cultural Art (Sports Seoul, South Korea)
2015
Korea China Cultural Exchange (Korean Cultural Center, Beijing, China)
Korean Fine Arts Association President (Embassy of the Republic of Korea / Korean Cultural Center, China)
1990
Salon Grands et Jeunes D’Aujord’hui (Grand Palais, Paris, France)
1987
6th Grand Art Exhibition of Korea (National Museum of Contemporary Art, South Korea)
MEMBER OF
Current
Advisor of Philgrim Association (former Vie et Creation)
Korean-New York Artist Association
Former
Founder / President of Philgrim Association (former Vie et Creation)
Steering Committee of Korea Fine Arts Association
Korea Woman Fine Artists Association
Nowon Fine Arts Association
Korean Paper Artists Association
KAAA (Korean American Artists Association)
MPA (McLean Project for the Arts)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2016
Korean Artist Directory (Korean Fine Arts Association)
2015
International Contemporary Artist vol. X (ICA Publishing, New York, US)
2005
Korean Contemporary Artist vol. IV (Monthly Art World)