Born in Seoul , Republic of Korea 

Education

• Sungshin Women's University, BFA in Fine Arts (2002)
  Focused on figurative painting and traditional drawing techniques.

• Sungshin Women's University, MFA in Fine Arts (2009)
  Graduate thesis explored the transition from realistic representation to formal abstraction, heavily influenced by Baroque art and the music of Olivier Messiaen.

 

Group Exhibition

 

2024 ' Transcendence ' , TTE art gallery , Seoul

2023  ' REVERIES ' , Galleria Azur. Madrid, Spain

2020 ‘Color 2020’ , CICA museum , Seoul

        

2019 'The Other Art Fair', Los Angeles

2019 The Other Art Fair, Los Angeles
Exhibited abstract works that explored the rhythms of urban landscapes, with a particular focus on movement and energy inspired by Van Gogh’s swirling patterns. One of the key pieces reflected the tension between chaos and harmony found in cityscapes. The fair provided my first opportunity to engage directly with an American audience, where I received valuable feedback on my evolving practice and gained insights into how my work resonated beyond cultural boundaries.

 

2019 Already a group exhibition, Seun Hall, Seoul

2016 ' Art Gemini Prize ' , Asia house , London 

 

2011 Residency, La Macina de San Cresci, Tuscany, Italy

2011 La Macina di San Cresci, Tuscany, Italy

Participated in a month-long residency at La Macina di San Cresci, located in the historic Pieve di San Cresci, one of the oldest churches in the Chianti region, dating back to the 10th century. During this residency, I developed a project titled Harmonic Motion, focusing on the interplay between landscape and human presence through pastel drawings and large-scale abstract works. The residency marked a significant turning point in my practice, particularly in experimenting with natural elements and textures inspired by the unique characteristics of the Tuscan region, such as local produce, natural light, and the tactile quality of the environment.

 

Solo shows

 

2020 ' The future has not yet come ' space 55 gallery , Seoul

2018  ' The City ' Artie-vita gallery , Seoul

2016  ' Severance '  Kiss gallery , Seoul 

“Severance explores the cutting of old ties and the emergence of new forms, reflecting the dynamic process of transformation.” 

2015  ' The Element ' Lotte Hotel gallery , Seoul

2012  ' Suspended Motion ' Imazoo gallery , Seoul

2011  ‘ River Wild ‘ . gana art space , Seoul  

2010  ‘ Landscape ‘ , comma gallery, Seoul 

2007  ' Play For the Garden ' Korea Electric Power , Seoul

2003  ‘ Lee Hae Eun Solo show ‘ , ARTINUS gallery , Seoul  

 

Graduate Studies & Artistic Development

During my graduate studies, I sought to deepen my understanding of the relationship between objects and space—a pursuit that led me to the philosophical and aesthetic depth of Baroque art. The existential themes in Baroque works resonated with my interest in human experience and were further fueled by my readings of Dostoevsky. His novels became a catalyst for my exploration of more profound and complex spatial relationships, which eventually influenced my transition from representational imagery to formal abstraction.

This exploration also extended into sound, as I became deeply captivated by the music of Olivier Messiaen, particularly his use of birdsong as a compositional medium. His innovative approach to sound and rhythm inspired me to think of visual art as a form of musical composition, where gestures and forms interact rhythmically on canvas.

In 2007, for my graduate thesis, I presented a series of abstract paintings that reinterpreted representational imagery through musical variations. The works featured intricate, interwoven lines that suggested organic forms while maintaining a functional, reversible structure. These paintings embodied my ongoing investigation into the dynamic interplay between form, rhythm, and space.

This period of experimentation marked a pivotal moment in my artistic development. It not only enriched my practice by introducing new formal methods, but it also opened a gateway to deeper philosophical inquiries into the relationship between art and nature. My work continues to evolve through this interdisciplinary approach, drawing connections between visual expression, sound, and human experience.

 

Prize

  

2022 Jackson's Painting Prize  Abstract category Winner 

2016  Art Gemini Prize finalist 

 

Her work emphasizes raw, unstructured emotions that cannot be easily expressed in words, translating them into dynamic forms and colors on canvas. In her award-winning piece that earned the 2022 Jackson’s Painting Prize in the Abstract category, Lydia demonstrated her signature approach by layering colors in chaotic yet harmonious ways, allowing the composition to take on its own rhythm. She describes her process as akin to composing musical chords—carefully balancing complexity and harmony to achieve the most aesthetically pleasing result. This distinctive method reflects her belief that colors and forms should guide the direction of the work, rather than imposing a predetermined narrative.