Seoul, b. 1978

Since 2006, Lee Sangwon has been exploring the “aesthetics of rest” in our time through landscapes of leisure destinations such as ski resorts, swimming pools, and parks. He closely observes the patterns of specific places and spaces where people gather, and through his RESTOPIA series, poses the question: “What does true rest mean in this era?” His works deviate from traditional perspective, combining various viewpoints such as bird’s-eye views from elevated positions, panoramic angles using 180-degree wide shots, and close-ups or upward gazes at specific subjects. These diverse perspectives make ordinary landscapes feel more extraordinary. Using the characteristic thickness of oil paint, he captures the textures of his subjects, and by traversing the boundary between abstraction and figuration, he explores new possibilities in contemporary painting.