Lee Bae

Lee Bae (b. 1956, Cheongdo, South Korea) is a South Korean artist who lives and works between Paris and Seoul. Best known for his distinctive use of charcoal as both material and subject, Lee’s practice explores themes of transformation, materiality and the philosophical relationship between destruction and creation. After moving to Paris in the early 1990s, he began developing his signature approach using charcoal made from burnt wood, compressing, polishing and assembling it into sculptural forms and minimalist paintings. His works often balance raw physicality with meditative restraint, drawing on both Korean artistic traditions and Western minimalist aesthetics. Through monochromatic compositions and textured surfaces, Lee investigates light, depth and the elemental qualities of matter.

Lee Bae has exhibited widely in Europe and Asia, with presentations at institutions and galleries including the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain in Saint-Étienne and major galleries in Paris and Seoul. His works are held in numerous public and private collections, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. Over recent years, his market presence has strengthened considerably, with growing international demand and regular appearances at auction, reflecting increasing recognition among collectors of contemporary Asian art.