NATURE

Beautiful Mount Gumgahng

~~~

An Ung Lee Exhibition

South Windsor Public Library

1550 Sullivan Avenue

South Windsor, CT 06074

July 1st through July 31st, 2006

9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Closed Sundays

Open Reception: July 6th

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Artist Biography and Education

Hae Joo Art School

Sariwon, Korea

Major: Western Art

Hong-Ik University

Seoul, South Korea

Major: Western Art

Ung was born and raised in the city of Sariwon in what is now North Korea. During the Korean War, Ung and his family migrated to the city of Seoul. Ung immigrated to the United States in 1964 and eventually settled in South Windsor, CT where he lived for over 30 years. Now retired, Ung worked as a graphic designer and layout artist in the field of advertising as a means to support his family. He continued to paint in his spare time but it was not until a recent visit to South Korea and Mount Gumgahng in North Korea that he refocused his energy into art. These paintings reflect his love for his native homeland and its natural beauty.

This is Ung’s first public exhibit of his artwork. he is thankful to the South Windsor Public Library for providing the opportunity and space to show his art. Ung also wishes to thank his family, friends, and church for their ongoing support in his life and in his artistic endeavors. He is most thankful to God.

Artist Philosophy

What I attempt to capture with this medium is not just a visual image. I try to create a scene that is filled with the emotions that I am feeling. Many of my compositions feature strong, emotional color, contrast, and stroke variations.

I attempt to express all my emotions through the various subjects I select to paint. I try to incorporate what is important in my life and what gives my life meaning into my work. Often times to accomplish this, I break from traditional composition and coloring in order to accurately reflect my feelings.

Sometimes I want to express my feelings and desires with a big putty knife; to fill a large canvas in a hurry so as not to forget. But I try to calm myself and describe the delicate lines and colors that so inspire me with a smaller, thinner, and sharper knife.

In my opinion, if an artist wants to create a ‘great’ piece of work, one should observe the intended object over and over again and in detail in order to capture not only the general characteristics but also the subtle nuances of color, hue, and composition.

Artist Statement

The theme of my exhibit is titled, NATURE. As man is part of nature, nature becomes an external extension of man. I feel that when an artist paints or draws ‘nature’ a part of the artist himself appears in the painting through his view of what he sees; whether it is expressed in his color choices or brush strokes.

When I paint a landscape picture of Mount Gumgahng, I am awestruck by the vastness and beauty of nature. As I sit outside and take in the wonder that God has provided for us, I see the trees and mountains and waterfalls and valleys and I see how they can change moment by moment by the smallest of things; like the wind blowing or the sunlight filtering in from a different angle.

It is my sincere hope that my paintings accurately reflect the beauty and joy Mount Gumgahng has brought me.

Although I started painting over 60 years ago and I am now in my mid-seventies, this is my first exhibit. Until God calls me to his side, I will continue to paint his mysterious and beautiful creations.

Thank you for attending and sharing in my work. God Bless.

Sincerely,

Ung Lim Lee