Sang Won harnesses photography to capture the hidden and under-appreciated depths of daily life, later expanding his photographic fragments into a breathtaking panorama of acrylic, oil and watercolor landscape paintings.

While partaking in cherished moments with family and friends, Sang Won assumes the mantle of a keen observer, his discerning eye attuned to the ambient rhythms of social life. Be it leisurely weekend strolls in the park or serene gatherings along the shoreline at daybreak, his immersive vistas resonate with human narratives and heartbeats united. With a certain three-dimensionality, Sang Won imbues his canvases with a dynamic sense of motion, reviving the hushed whispers, joyous laughter, and impassioned outpourings of emotion that emanate from the crowd.

As Sang Won traversed the landscape of his 30s, an audacious determination took root within him — a resolve to craft at least one painting each day, no matter the weather. While many feared that such an unrestrained approach might dilute the rarity and value of his portfolio, Sang Won clung defiantly to his convictions and continued to create on his own terms.

Over time, his social landscapes came to reflect a personal disdain for the trappings of mainstream logic and the stifling embrace of conformist culture in the modern era. Indeed, the expressive countenances of his subjects remained perpetually veiled, rendering them anonymous entities melting harmoniously into the amorphous sea of humanity — each spirit intertwined, personalities eclipsed.

Yet, within the multitude, Sang Won discerns a realm of upliftment, where one and all find solace in the shared pursuit of leisure and the art of detachment from the relentless cadence of daily toil. Irrespective of the superficial distinctions of wealth, status, and the intricate power dynamics at play, the people in his pieces exist as equals, unified momentarily in the universal pursuit of human happiness.

Sang Won Lee. The Red (2009). Oil on Canvas. 218 x 291cm.

Sang Won Lee. The Park (2021). Oil on Canvas. 65 x 90cm.

The Crowd (2021). Oil on Canvas. 50 x 50cm.

Aquarium (2013). Watercolor on Paper. 33 x 50cm.

The Pool (2016). Acrylic on Canvas. 200 x 200cm.

Discover more of Sang Won’s works in Issue 2 of our magazine!