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Paul Art Lee

American (Born in Korea, Seoul 1962)

Lives & works in Buena Park, CA 90621

 

Education

Chugye University for the Arts, B.A

Chong Shin University in USA, M.Div. /Th.M./ D. Min.

Artist

Author

Holy One Presbyterian Church in America Pastor

Holy One Mission President 

Art teacher of Arnion Art & AJL Art Gallery

Artist Statement

I'm a Korean American artist and pastor based in California, where my journey with art and faith deeply intertwines.

Since the age of 6, I have found solace and expression through drawing and painting. My official artistic path began in 1984. However, two years later, amidst a quest for freedom and peace in both life and art, I faced a significant challenge. I immersed myself in a performance of painting with my own body—an act of personal struggle that, unfortunately, provided little relief.

After graduating from art college that same year, I shifted my focus to teaching aspiring artists while gradually setting aside creative pursuits. In 1995, I decided to step away from life as a professional artist.

My journey took a new turn when I moved to the United States in 2004 and felt a divine calling to serve as a pastor. Alongside teaching art to students and conducting art therapy for disabled individuals, I dedicated myself to church ministry and serving the homeless community. Though I continued to paint during this time, it was primarily to inspire my students rather than create personal works.

Upon becoming a U.S. citizen, I sought a new identity through prayer. I was inspired to adopt the name Paul Art, reflecting a dual commitment to gospel ministry and artistic expression. Little did I know then that this journey would lead me to actively share the gospel through artwork.

In February 2023, I resumed my artistic path with renewed purpose. My deep spiritual and emotional thirst for freedom and peace was ultimately quenched in our Lord Jesus Christ. This discovery marked a profound turning point in my life.

As a pastor, my prayer to God was to follow in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle. Above all, I desired to glorify God and live under His gospel, love, and grace. I also prayed that my artwork would bring people healing, recovery, and consolation. It became clear that God had prepared me to create works that could save and heal souls through gospel-inspired art.

My artistic vision centers around the theme of "The Light of Life." During prayer, while seeking what to paint and how to express it, Isaiah 60:1-3 and John 1:4 came to mind. I am giving my art the subtitle "The Love Story" starting this year, 2024.

I see my art as a visual journey seeking love, grace, freedom, and peace found in the gospel. Each piece I create tells a story through symbols—abstract forms and realistic depictions of animals, insects, fruits, and flowers—all imbued with profound spiritual meaning. In that sense, my art resides at the intersection of postmodernism and conceptual art, with lines and water droplets often symbolizing God’s love and kingdom.

My artistic world begins and ends with prayer. The artworks I create are infused with the presence of Jesus Christ, who is the Light of Life, along with the energy of God’s love and grace. It is my sincere hope that those who encounter my art will experience healing, renewal, and spiritual awakening.

BIO

Born in Seoul, Korea in 1962 and now residing in Buena Park, CA, Lee's multifaceted career spans the roles of an artist, author, pastor, mission president, and art teacher. His extensive education from Chugye University for the Arts and Chong Shin University in the USA adds depth to his diverse body of work.

Lee’s "Light of Life" is a personal exploration of freedom and peace, found in art and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Reflecting his dual roles as artist and pastor, his paintings depict the beauty of God's creation, often featuring elements of nature such as animals, fruits, flowers, and water droplets. His work interweaves factual representation with abstract elements, embodying the love and grace of God, with the aim of healing and restoring the viewer’s mind.

EXHIBITION

Solo Exhibition

2024   Light of Life – The Love Story, (Invitational Exhibition) EK Art Gallery. CA. US

2023   Light of Life. bG Gallery. CA. US

2019   The Love Story of The Cross. Arena1 Gallery. CA. USA

2018   In God’s Love. Arena1 Gallery. CA. USA​

2017   God is Love. Park View Gallery. CA. USA

​2017   The Cross in Jesus Christ. Santa Monica Art Studio: Hangar Gallery. CA. USA

1995   Freedom in the Soul Fallen Asleep.  Chun Cheon Art Gallery. South Korea

1992   Breakaway from Freedom. Gallery Yehyang. South Korea

1991   Life from Freedom. Nau Gallery. South Korea

Group Exhibition

2024 121st Le Salon d’Automne. Champs – Elysees, Paris. France

​2024 Art diversity from Pablo Picasso to the new art masters. MOCAMAG Museum. Austria
2024 The Biennale Chianciano 2024. Art Museum and 13 Art Galleries of Chianciano, Chianciano. Italy

2024   Spectrum Gestalt 2024 (Invitational Exhibition). bG Gallery. CA. USA

2024   7th Color. 3 Square Gallery. CO. USA

2024   2nd Flower Moon. Lagunaart.com Gallery. CA. USA

2024   Story Mapping (Invitational Exhibition). AJL Art Gallery. CA. USA

2024   14th Biennial National Art Exhibition. Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda. FL. USA

2024    Sweets Factory. bG Gallery. CA. USA

2024   120th Le Salon d'Automne 2024. The Grande Halle de La Villette. Paris. France.

2024   29th Arts North International, Hopkins Center for the Arts. MN. USA

2023   Past and Future (Invitational Exhibition). AJL Art Gallery. CA. USA

2023   Pop Up, bG Gallery (Burbank) CA. USA

2023   Today and Tomorrow (Invitational Exhibition). AJL Art Gallery. CA. USA

2023   A Small Art Exhibition for Christmas, AJL Art Gallery. CA. USA

2023   2nd Contemporary Art in Realism. 3 Square Gallery. CO. USA

2023   2nd Salon at the Triton 2023. Triton Museum. CA. USA

2023   6th Color 2023. 3 Square Gallery. CO. USA

2023   Spectrum Gestalt 2024 (Invitational Exhibition). bG Gallery. CA. USA

2019   Father and Son. George Billis Gallery. CA. USA

2017   Jewelry Box of my Heart (Invitational Exhibition). Park View Gallery. CA. USA

2017   The Fruit of the Light.   Park View Gallery. CA. USA

2012   Christian Autumn Exhibition.   Ever Art Gallery. CA. USA

2012   The King Has Come.   Ever Art Gallery. CA. USA

2012   Cold Love (Invitational Exhibition). Park View Gallery. CA. USA

2010   Dream of Life (Invitational Exhibition). Andrew Shire Gallery, CA. USA

2009   Unknown (Invitational Exhibition) Bergamot Station: Sarah Lee Gallery. CA. USA

2009   Emotion & Expression.  Bergamot Station: Sarah Lee Gallery. CA. USA

2009   Association of Christian Artists.  Modern Art Gallery. CA. USA​

1995   Nat’l Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.  South Korea

1994   Exhibition of Korean Fine Art Association. Nat’l Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. South Korea

1992   Groping for Form and Abstract.  Gallery Yehyang. South Korea

1991   Some Messages 10 Artists Saw on an Autumn Day.  Cheongnam Gallery. South Korea

1991   Unfolding Images. Gallery Doll. South Korea

1991   Infinite 190-1. Kwanhoon Gallery. South Korea

1991   The Gray Zone. Samjung Gallery. South Korea

1991   Expression. Kwanhoon Gallery. South Korea

1991   ’91 Proliferation of Consciousness. Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art. South Korea

1989   Four Generations. Baegak Gallery. South Korea

1989   Expression. Na Gallery. South Korea

1988   Four Generations. Sign Gallery in Busan. South Korea

1987   Four Generations. Dongduk Gallery & Kwanhoon Gallery. South Korea

1986   Four Generations. Arab Gallery. South Korea

1986   Exhibition of Independants. Nat’l Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. South Korea

1986   Expression. Gurimmadang Min. South Korea

1985   Blue Flag. Hangang Museum of Art. South Korea

1984   Exhibition of Two Artists. Seok Galler. South Korea

Awards & Achievements

2024   7th Color Exhibition, 3 Square Gallery. Silver Award. CO. USA

2024   14th Biennial National Art Exhibition. Visual Arts Center in Punta- Gorda. Merit Award Winner. FL. USA

2024   29th Arts North International. Hopkins Center for the Arts. Award of Excellence. MN. USA

2024   29th Arts North International. Hopkins Center for the Arts. Robbin Gallery Award. MN. USA

2023   2nd Contemporary Art in Realism. 3 Square Gallery. Honorable Mention. CO. USA

2023   6th Color Exhibition, 3 Square Art, Honorable Mention. OC. USA

1991   2nd Misulsegye Grand Exhibition Kyung-in Museum of Fine Art, Winner. South Korea

1984   2nd Seoul International Art Festival Special Recognition. Sejong Center. South Korea

1984   13th Gusangjeon Contest Exhibit Arts Council Korea. Winner. South Korea

Miscellaneous

1986   Prelude to Freedom and Peace Performance at Ui-dong Valley. South Korea

1986   Winter Daeseong-ri 101 Artists Exhibition Installation Art at Daeseong-ri Field. South Korea

Publications

2017   God is Love. CA. USA

Art show & Fair

2024   Art Gwangiu. Gwangju Kim Dae-jung Convention Center A.B.C. Hall. South Korea

2024   Carrousel du louvre art fair 2024, Carrousel du Louvre. Paris. France

2024   13th Busan International Annual Market of Art. South Korea

2024   LA Art Show. LA Convention Center. CA. USA

2023   Beverly Hill Art Show. CA. USA

2023   LA Art Show. LA Convention Center. CA. USA

Collection

Park View Gallery

EK Art Gallery

AJL Art Gallery

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