Current:
Works
Exhibitions
Publications
About
Contact
Current:
Works
Exhibitions
Publications
About
Contact
Time, in Lee’s view, is subjective and intertwined with human experience, not merely a linear progression. This perspective sees time as both a mirror and a vessel for the stories, cultures, and histories that shape our existence. His extensive time spent across three continents has enriched this vision, allowing him to transcend binary thinking. These diverse experiences have enabled him to articulate a complex, interwoven understanding of the world, highlighting what is truly essential to the human condition. Lee’s practice, deeply influenced by his geographical and cultural encounters, explores the fluidity of time and space, emphasising their interdependent nature and collective impact on human experience.
Lee employs chroma key green to symbolise his interactions with varied cultures and his quest for belonging amid continuous change. Initially, this green stands out, appearing incongruous with the rest of the image. However, its ultimate purpose is to integrate elements seamlessly, making them appear as part of the original composition. This technique also examines the relationship between technology and aesthetics, highlighting the growing divide between human elements and
technological advancements while serving as a bridge for progress in both realms.
His photography captures different moments and scenes, carefully crafting each part into a cohesive composition that blurs reality. This approach reflects life’s constant flux and invites exploration of the spaces between the real and the unreal. Lee’s emphasis on time underlines its role as an interdependent force in his art, transcending limitations and highlighting universal connections beyond spatial and cultural boundaries. His work delves into the emergence of new systems or worlds, focusing on intersections within conflict and advocating a transcendent characteristic.
In 2017, Lee won the Celeste Prize in Photography in London, juried by Fatos Üstek. He has also had exhibitions in Cape Town and Paris and Leipzig, had a solo representation at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, AKAA Paris in 2018, and Zeitz MOCAA in 2019. In 2022, Lee opened a public programme at Documenta 15 in collaboration with the Nha San Collective.
2024
Ostinato Interstice Rendering, Techne Sphere Leipzig, Leipzig. DE.
2023
Table of Contents, Bistro 21, Leipzig, DE.
2017
Kyu Sang Lee, Cape Town School of Photography, Cape Town, SA.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024
Myths Are Your Dream, Dreams Are My Myth, Werkschauhalle Spinnerei, Leipzig, DE.
Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents, LUMA Arles, Arles, FR.
Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town. SA
Figures (In)Flux, Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town. SA.
2023
LL Interspace: HOTPOT, Galerie KUB, Leipzig, DE.
FNB Art Joburg, Johannesburg, SA.
Ketterer Kunst Masterclass Preis für Junge Kunst, Munich, DE.
2022
Neighbours / Des Voisin.e.s, L’air Arts, Paris, FR.
Just Rolllllll, documenta fifteen, Kassel, DE.
2021
Between Strangers, Nuweland, Buren, NL.
Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, SA.
2020
11:11, Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town, SA.
Peep Show, Cape Town, SA. [Online]
Art Rotterdam, Rotterdam, NL.
Tones, Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town, SA.
2019
Satellite, Suburbia Contemporary, Cape Town, SA.
Still Here Tomorrow to High Five You Yesterday, Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, SA.
Water Sculptures, as Part of the exhibition Yoko Ono: PEACE is POWER, Mdbk Leipzig, DE.
Cape Town Art Fair [Solo Project], Cape Town, SA.
2018
Also Known as Africa, Le Carreau du Temple, Paris, FR.
Throwing Shapes, Smith Studio, Cape Town, SA.
-nano 1.2, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town, SA.
Stop Stop Click, Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town, SA.
Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, SA.
2017
Salad, Smith Studio, Cape Town, South Africa.
SS17, Gallery MOMO, Cape Town, South Africa.
Celeste Prize Finalists Exhibition, OXO Tower Wharf, London, UK.
Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, SA.
Be Kind, Please Rewind, Gallery MOMO, Cape Town, SA.
Marked, Eclectica Print Gallery, Cape Town, SA.
Paradise Regained, Eclectica Contemporary, Cape Town, SA.
2016
From Now to Then: Towards the Brilliant End, Michaelis School of Fine Art, Cape Town, SA.
Meditative Moments, Mullers Gallery, Cape Town, SA.
By Way of Hand, Cape Town School of Photography, Cape Town, SA.
Focus, Jan Royce Gallery, Cape Town, SA.
2023
L’air Arts, Atelier 11, Paris, FR.
2017
Cape Town School of Photography, Cape Town, SA.
Lectures
2017
Cape Town School of Photography, Cape Town, SA.
Awards and nominations
2024
Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents. Arles. FR
2023
Ketterer Kunst Masterclass Preis für Junge Kunst, München, DE.
2020
Minister of Defence Award in Moving Image Competition,
Ministry of Defence, South Korea.
2017
Celeste Prize Winner in Photography, Celeste Prize,
London, UK.
Celeste Prize Finalist, Celeste
Prize, London, UK.
2016
Simon Gerson Prize, Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. SA.
2014
Cecil Skotnes Award for Most Promising Artist, Michaelis School, Cape Town, SA.
of Fine Art, University of Cape Town. SA.
Collections and Loans
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
Stipends
2024
Kulturstiftung des Freistaates Sachsen. DE.
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, KR.