About the Object

SMC-001 is a great example of the bridge in Il Lee’s career, where he has not entirely let go of the black ballpoint pen but has also included colored pencils, which is notably uncommon in his work. While Lee’s pieces are inherently experimental, this one in particular is an example of the artist experimenting with materials and colors in addition to mark making. The lines are strong and jagged, with the differing materials being used to create lines in opposite directions. Additionally, there are noticeable curving lines at the center that stand out from the rest of the straight lines in the composition. This is also uncommon, as Lee typically creates unity within his pieces by using either curved or straight lines, rather than combining both.

Additional Information

In recent years, Lee’s work has been gradually gaining more color, deviating slightly from his mostly monochromatic oeuvre, which calls back to traditional Korean ink painting. What originated as an experimental shift from black to blue ballpoint pen has grown to incorporate more and more hues within his work, at times not including black or white at all.