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How many exhibition works:
- 40 - 49
Exhibition Total Value:
- $250k - $500k
EK Art Gallery Invitational Solo Exhibition | Paul Art Lee
Paul Art Lee is a Korean American artist and pastor based in California. He has recently been exploring the freedom, peace, and love found in the world of art and the gospel of Jesus Christ under the theme of ‘Light of Life.’ In his 9th solo exhibition at the invitation of EK Art Gallery, he has given the subtitle, “The Love Story." He says that while praying to God to become a full-time artist, he remembered the words of Isaiah 60:1-3 and John 1:4 and worked with them.
Since becoming a full-time artist, Paul Atri has been actively participating in international salons, biennales, and art fairs. He participated in the LA Art Show in 2023 and 2024, and will participate in the LA Art Show as a main artist at EK Art Gallery in 2025. His works were selected for the 120th Le Salon d’Automne exhibition in Paris, France, and the 121st exhibition. He participated in the exhibition ‘From Picasso to New Masters of Art’ at the MOCAMAG Museum of Modern Art in Austria, and the news was reported in a luxury magazine in London.
He was also selected as an American artist for the Chianciano Biennale in Italy. He Will attend the art fair held at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France (Carrousel du Louvre art fair 2024, Carrousel du Louvre. Paris. France) right before his solo exhibition. After winning a special award at the 2nd Seoul International Exhibition in 1984 at the age of 21, he exhibited his work at an international exhibition for the first time in about 39 years, winning the Award of Excellence and the Special Award of Excellence at the 29th Art North International 2024 Exhibition, and also winning the Merit Award Winner at the 14th Biennial National Art Exhibition 2024 held in Florida.
He said before his solo exhibition, “God has prepared me to create works that can save, heal, restore, and comfort souls through art inspired by the gospel. I sincerely hope that those who come into contact with my solo exhibition will experience healing, recovery, comfort, and spiritual awakening.”
Artist:
I'm a Korean American artist and pastor based in California, where my journey with art and faith deeply intertwines.
Since the age of 6, I have found solace and expression through drawing and painting. My official artistic path began in 1984. However, two years later, amidst a quest for freedom and peace in both life and art, I faced a significant challenge. I immersed myself in a performance of painting with my own body—an act of personal struggle that, unfortunately, provided little relief.
After graduating from art college that same year, I shifted my focus to teaching aspiring artists while gradually setting aside creative pursuits. In 1995, I decided to step away from life as a professional artist.
My journey took a new turn when I moved to the United States in 2004 and felt a divine calling to serve as a pastor. Alongside teaching art to students and conducting art therapy for disabled individuals, I dedicated myself to church ministry and serving the homeless community. Though I continued to paint during this time, it was primarily to inspire my students rather than create personal works.
Upon becoming a U.S. citizen, I sought a new identity through prayer. I was inspired to adopt the name Paul Art, reflecting a dual commitment to gospel ministry and artistic expression. Little did I know then that this journey would lead me to actively share the gospel through artwork.
In February 2023, I resumed my artistic path with renewed purpose. My deep spiritual and emotional thirst for freedom and peace was ultimately quenched in our Lord Jesus Christ. This discovery marked a profound turning point in my life.
As a pastor, my prayer to God was to follow in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle. Above all, I desired to glorify God and live under His gospel, love, and grace. I also prayed that my artwork would bring people healing, recovery, and consolation. It became clear that God had prepared me to create works that could save and heal souls through gospel-inspired art.
My artistic vision centers around the theme of "The Light of Life." During prayer, while seeking what to paint and how to express it, Isaiah 60:1-3 and John 1:4 came to mind. I am giving my art the subtitle "The Love Story" starting this year, 2024.
I see my art as a visual journey seeking love, grace, freedom, and peace found in the gospel. Each piece I create tells a story through symbols—abstract forms and realistic depictions of animals, insects, fruits, and flowers—all imbued with profound spiritual meaning. In that sense, my art resides at the intersection of postmodernism and conceptual art, with lines and water droplets often symbolizing God’s love and kingdom.
My artistic world begins and ends with prayer. The artworks I create are infused with the presence of Jesus Christ, who is the Light of Life, along with the energy of God’s love and grace. It is my sincere hope that those who encounter my art will experience healing, renewal, and spiritual awakening.
EK Gallery
1125 S. Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
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