Leo Miguel

James Plumb
Art 101
April 22, 2012
The Order of Contemplation

Circle and Ellipse, Violet and Red, 2009

Dry Pigment on paper, 24 x 18
By
Kyung-Lim Lee

This research is based on the painting of Kyung-Lim Lees Circle and Ellipse,
Violet and Red, 2009. The painting shows intense color, perhaps to indicate energy or life force.
Also shows shapes, light, and background to achieve a careful visually satisfying balance; in
order to guide the readers view to go further more into something beyond sight. While
observing in the Academy Art Museum in Easton Maryland; many paintings and different artists
but Lees title The Order of Contemplation really caught my attention. It sounded like a
moment of life silently and peacefully. Therefore, became interesting to learn more about Lees
paintings.
Kyung-Lim Lee was born in South Korea in 1957 and immigrated to the United States in
1972. She graduated in drawing at Pratt Institute in 1983. Having her first solo show in 1993
lead her to more exhibitions in different places such as; the Contemporary Art Center, the
Bronx Museum, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Now she spends her time
between New York, Arizona, and Maryland.
Lee is fascinated with language and the origins and evolution of words. Since the 80s,
Lee has been working out a very personal and complex system to analyze specific Chinese
characters or ideograms. For example, the spiritual resonance of Lees work recalls ancient
devotional objects like Russian icons, Medieval prayer books, or Hindu Tantric paintings. In this
works the deep connections of the viewer to the spiritual image pairs with an intense artistic
creation.
The simplicity and silence of Kyung-Lim Lees art comes forth only after an extended
process of reflection on the set of 10 Chinese and Korean language characters that have a
personal meaning for her. These characters represent words and idea such as Flesh, Bone, Soul,

and Resolution. In Lees art, time stops and an introspective balance is achieved between artist
and viewer, idea and object. Like Rothko paintings they can be catalysts for meditation. A
distinct personal history, systematic process, and deep cultural awareness are the elements
that combine to define Lees art.
In conclusion, I have learned that any piece of art has a history behind and projects a
great meaning. In fact, we all have intellectual and spiritual journey but through contemplation
and meditation on a word, idea, or image we prepare ourselves to be guided into something
sublime. This is the power of art.

Works Cited
Kyung-Lim Lee. Academy Art Museum Spring 2012: 5. Abstract. Print.
Neil, Erik, and Anke Van Wagenberg. Kyung-Lim Lee. Easton MD: Academy Art Museum,
2012. N. pag. Print.