[Artist Introduction: Lee Si-on]

“An artist who layers the processes of life upon the grain of nature”

Her practice began with Goryeo Buddhist painting rooted in traditional Korean color painting.

While creating replicas of Buddhist paintings at cultural heritage restoration sites, the artist became fascinated by natural pigments—their shimmering dignity and steadfastness, unchanged even after long periods of time—and has continued to use them as a primary material in her work.

This quality resonates with her practice as well.

Reflecting on how she is shaken by the many situations and changes encountered in life, she found inspiration in the lotus flowers depicted in Buddhist paintings.

“Ijejeom-o 離諸染汚,” meaning “free from all defilement,” compares a person who grows in mud without being stained by it, rises with dignity, and blooms beautifully to a lotus flower.

In keeping with this meaning, lotus flowers appear frequently in her recent work.

Through works depicting unfinished beings with natural pigments that retain their inherent radiance over time, she expresses a hope that both she and her viewers will continue to grow step by step at their own pace, without being swept away by the circumstances around them. Her work carries a wish to offer comfort and encouragement to these beings.

- Exhibition History

Solo Exhibitions

• 2025 “Equanimity (平靜): The Process of Becoming a Forest,” Baekhee Art Space
• 2024 Hosted by Public Gallery
• 2024 A Forest of Contemplation, Art Studio, Lotte Department Store Ilsan
• 2024 Lee Si-on Invitational Exhibition, Gallery Le Coucou
• 2023 Lee Si-on Invitational Exhibition A Forest in a Certain Season, Topgol Art Museum

Group Exhibitions

• 2026 “Faces of the Year, Landscapes of the Year,” hosted by Public Gallery, and others
• 2025– Buddha Art Fair Seoul, COEX
• 2025 “Resonance of Image (像), Part 2,” Gallery di Arte, Cheongdam
• 2023 Emerging Artist Support Program Group Exhibition, The Beginnings of a Leap 9, Topgol Art Museum
• 2023 3rd JoongAng Painting Competition: 2023 The Value of Basics, Korean Art Museum
• 2023 ASYAAF, Hongik University Museum of Contemporary Art, Hongmun-gwan

Education

• 2021 M.A., Painting Conservation, Department of Painting, Konkuk University Graduate School
• 2018 Completed Cultural Heritage Repair Craftsman Training Program, Replication Major, Education Center, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage
• 2017 B.F.A., Department of Painting, College of Design, Konkuk University

Qualifications

• 2025 National Heritage Repair Technician, Conservation Treatment, No. 013551
• 2019 National Heritage Repair Technician, Replication, No. 009315

Other

• 2024 Empress Myeongseong Memorial Hall – “Experience and Discovery of Tradition,” Natural Pigment Workshop Lecture
• 2023 Empress Myeongseong Memorial Hall – “Experience and Discovery of Tradition,” Natural Mineral Pigment Workshop Lecture