CompositionYi Eungro · 1968

  • Art movementKorean Expressionism
  • Creation date1968
  • Dimensions130.0 x 33.0 cm
  • MuseumLee Ungno Museum

Yi Eungro (1904 – 1989)

Explore Yi Eungro's (Lee Ungno) innovative art: Korean-French painter blending Eastern & Western styles, known for abstract ink collages & crowd paintings.

Lee Ungno Museum (Daegu, South Korea)

Explore the life & art of Korean master Lee Ungno at this Daegu museum! Discover 500+ works, including his Abstract Letter series & prison paintings. Experience exhibitions, cultural insights, and a unique blend of Eastern & Western influences.

In 1967, Lee Ungno was imprisoned for 2 years and 6 months for his involvement in the East Berlin Affair. He suffered most from an inability to continue his practice there; however, as he adjusted to the prison environment, he started painting on tissue using soy sauce as ink and making models with rice paste, which he collected from his meal. This painting shows one example of the Abstract Letter paintings that he made in prison using ink on hanji and then painting over the canvas with soy sauce as if testifying to his imprisonment. Unlike ink, soy sauce is not a proper pigment and thus, its colour is brownish rather than black when it is put on paper; as it is not rich enough to make a long spread, the canvas shows several marks where he had to resume the application of the soy sauce at each moment.

About this artwork

  • Title: Composition
  • Artist: Yi Eungro
  • Year: 1968
  • Original dimensions: 130.0 x 33.0 cm
  • Format: Tall
  • Copyright status: Under copyright
  • Where to see it: Lee Ungno Museum
  • Movement: Korean Expressionism
  • Creative period: Prison Years
  • Color palette: Earthy

Questions & Answers

How does "Composition" fit into Yi Eungro's themes and style?

"Composition" shares with Yi Eungro's other works its Korean Expressionism style and the recorded themes: east asian calligraphy, sumi-e techniques, prisoner's testimony, korean expressionism", political imprisonment, abstracted landscape, symbolic narrative, artist's resilience.

What subjects appear in "Composition" by Yi Eungro?

The themes present in "Composition" by Yi Eungro include abstract composition, prison art theme, korean ink style, chaotic brushwork, symbolic imagery, dark brown palette, textured surface. Together they summarize the artwork's subject matter.

Are the colors of "Composition" by Yi Eungro vivid or muted?

The colors of "Composition" by Yi Eungro show a muted saturation with a monochromatic intensity.

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