In the quiet chambers of Wontae Lee’s studio, an extraordinary tale unfolds – a tale crafted from the very fabric of human existence and etched into the enduring pages of nature’s book.

For Wontae, the fallen callus is a testament to his body’s armor and a silent sentinel against the abrasions of daily toil. Inspired by its detachment, he masterfully infuses his canvases with an ineffable quality and a tangible essence of emotion that seeps into the consciousness of those who behold. In Wontae’s mind, the passage of time takes center stage, shifting its gaze from vantage points both past and present. Scratching the surface, he constructs a delicate bridge between the resilience of the callus and the many stories of sorrow and joy embedded within its pores.

As raw as it seems, he puts his audience under the microscope, transporting them to a realm where complex memories nestle and unfold, where turbulent chapters are inscribed in the lines etched upon the skin of experience.

Layers (2022). Oil on Canvas. 116.8 x 91cm.

Layers (2018). Oil on Canvas. 122 x 210cm.

Layers (2021). Oil on Canvas. 90.9 x 72.7cm.

Layers (2022). Oil on Canvas. 70 x 70cm.

Layers (2022). Oil on Canvas. 100 x 100cm

Layers (2022). Oil on Canvas. 70 x 70cm.

Layers (2018). Oil on Canvas. 180 x 122cm.

Discover more of Wontae’s works in Issue 1 of our magazine!