Lee Bae's "Issu Du Feu 2g" is a striking monochromatic composition dominated by intertwining, abstract charcoal shapes that appear dynamic and textured. The painting features overlapping forms, suggesting movement and depth, with an intense focus on the contrast between light and shadow. This abstract piece highlights the tactile quality of charcoal, characterized by expressive brushwork and a sense of raw, elemental energy. Rooted in Korean folk traditions, the artwork captures the transformation of natural materials into a visual exploration of cultural and spiritual identity. ...
Lee Bae's work honors the rituals and traditions of Korean folk culture and craft. While he uses wood, fire, and Hanji (Korean Mulberry paper) to produce sculptures, installations, drawings, and assemblages, his main medium is charcoal. The artist employs it as a transformational material, drawn from the elements and history of Korea, imbued with a rich aggregate of personal, cultural and spiritual associations. Lee Bae transforms charcoal into large-scale sculptures, assembled as wall-mounted surfaces akin to paintings, turned into ink that captures the physicality of the artist’s brush work. ...
Esther Schipper founded her first gallery in Cologne in 1989. After German reunification, she opened a satellite space in Berlin in the mid-1990s, ultimately moving its operations there in 1997. The gallery space has since relocated several times within Berlin to accommodate its evolving exhibition program and artists’ needs.
In 2015, Esther Schipper acquired Johnen Galerie and integrated its program under the gallery’s name. Esther Schipper opened a company in Korea in 2017, and a public gallery in Seoul in 2022, as well as a gallery location in Paris on Place Vendôme the same year. In 2024, Esther Schipper started an office and a showroom in New York.
Throughout its almost 40 year history, the gallery has supported artists who push boundaries and redefine traditional exhibition formats. Building on the early pioneering program, the gallery specializes in fostering institutional support and finding markets for its artists across continents.
The gallery’s global growth nurtures cross-cultural dialogue and brings new commitments to local and international artistic communities. Its activities extend beyond exhibitions to include lectures, performances, and events, reinforcing its role as a discursive space for experimentation.
Today, Esther Schipper represents a diverse range of international artists, established figures and emerging talents practicing in various media. ...
