Lee Changmin Korean Painting Artist
Introduction
Since I was young, I always thought drawing was what I did best. Naturally, I chose to study Korean painting, which suited my personality. In graduate school, I specialized in Jeontong Jinchae, Korea’s traditional colored painting. At the time, Korean painting was often seen as outdated and unattractive. That led me to explore the broad theme of “Yei-je,” which means past and present, and how to reinterpret our traditional painting culture through a modern lens. That idea has become the foundation of my current work. To express the theme of “Gogeum” (Old & New) well, I believed it was important to first faithfully reproduce original works—using the same traditional materials and techniques as in the past.
*Yei-je : A pure Korean word that means both “past” and “present.”
Gogeum (古今): “Old and new.”
Highlight 
B.A. in Korean Painting, Hansung University
M.A. in Traditional Colored Painting, Graduate School of Art, Hansung University
Completed Ph.D. coursework in Korean Painting, Dongguk University
Grand Prize, 9th Korean Minhwa Art Contest (Minister of Culture Award)
Published illustrated book: [길] (The Path)
Former Instructor at Hansung University (Professional Program)
Former Instructor at Dongguk University (Professional Program)
Former Instructor at Korea Minhwa Association (Professional Program)
Currently teaching at Korea Minhwa Association
Member of Hoosoh Association
Member of Professional Minhwa Artists Association
Member of East-West Art & Culture Association
What to expect while doing this
There’s a saying, “Artists always live in poverty.” But I don’t think that’s true. Of course, it's not easy to achieve financial stability as an artist. However, I believe an artist is someone lucky enough to live truly as themselves. Most forms of art enrich not only ourselves but others as well—
and I feel grateful to be doing such meaningful and beautiful work.
Interview
Q. What are some of your most memorable places and experiences in nature in Korea? 
The place I remember most is my grandmother’s house near Sanjeong Lake in Pocheon. There were many tall pine trees, and a big oak tree in the yard. My grandmother would always make dotori-muk (acorn jelly) from the acorns that fell. The thick forest gave the place lots of shade, and when it rained, the scent of the trees would deepen. Although I normally dislike rain, I always felt good in that space. It’s a place full of beautiful nature, precious memories, and the loving image of my grandmother.
Q. What does nature mean to you? 
When I was younger, I didn’t feel much about nature. But at some point, a single tree, a wildflower, or even a blade of grass began to feel different to me. In my early career, I was drawn to chaekgado (scholarly still-life painting) and painted many objects, fascinated by their symbolic meaning and structure. But eventually, I became deeply inspired by nature and landscape painting, and published a picture book called The Path (길), focused on nature and life. In Korean painting, nature isn’t just something we look at—it’s a space where we reflect and calm ourselves.
Q. What do you want people to take away from the experience and healing you provide?
When you look at my reproduction works, I hope you feel the depth and beauty of traditional Korean painting. When you look at my original works, I hope you enjoy seeing how Korean elements can be reinterpreted with the artist’s own emotions. Just like how good food, good places, good music, good scent, and good art make us feel happy— I hope my paintings can give you a sense of joy and comfort too.
맞춤코스 문의하기
Lee ChangminKorean Painting Artist
Introduction
Since I was young, I always thought drawing was what I did best. Naturally, I chose to study Korean painting, which suited my personality. In graduate school, I specialized in Jeontong Jinchae, Korea’s traditional colored painting. At the time, Korean painting was often seen as outdated and unattractive. That led me to explore the broad theme of “Yei-je,” which means past and present, and how to reinterpret our traditional painting culture through a modern lens. That idea has become the foundation of my current work. To express the theme of “Gogeum” (Old & New) well, I believed it was important to first faithfully reproduce original works—using the same traditional materials and techniques as in the past.
*Yei-je : A pure Korean word that means both “past” and “present.”
Gogeum (古今): “Old and new.”
Highlight
B.A. in Korean Painting, Hansung University
M.A. in Traditional Colored Painting, Graduate School of Art, Hansung University
Completed Ph.D. coursework in Korean Painting, Dongguk University
Grand Prize, 9th Korean Minhwa Art Contest (Minister of Culture Award)
Published illustrated book: [길] (The Path)
Former Instructor at Hansung University (Professional Program)
Former Instructor at Dongguk University (Professional Program)
Former Instructor at Korea Minhwa Association (Professional Program)
Currently teaching at Korea Minhwa Association
Member of Hoosoh Association
Member of Professional Minhwa Artists Association
Member of East-West Art & Culture Association
What to expect while doing this
There’s a saying, “Artists always live in poverty.” But I don’t think that’s true. Of course, it's not easy to achieve financial stability as an artist. However, I believe an artist is someone lucky enough to live truly as themselves. Most forms of art enrich not only ourselves but others as well—
and I feel grateful to be doing such meaningful and beautiful work.
Interview
Q. What are some of your most memorable places and experiences in nature in Korea?
The place I remember most is my grandmother’s house near Sanjeong Lake in Pocheon. There were many tall pine trees, and a big oak tree in the yard. My grandmother would always make dotori-muk (acorn jelly) from the acorns that fell. The thick forest gave the place lots of shade, and when it rained, the scent of the trees would deepen. Although I normally dislike rain, I always felt good in that space. It’s a place full of beautiful nature, precious memories, and the loving image of my grandmother.
Q. What does nature mean to you?
When I was younger, I didn’t feel much about nature. But at some point, a single tree, a wildflower, or even a blade of grass began to feel different to me. In my early career, I was drawn to chaekgado (scholarly still-life painting) and painted many objects, fascinated by their symbolic meaning and structure. But eventually, I became deeply inspired by nature and landscape painting, and published a picture book called The Path (길), focused on nature and life. In Korean painting, nature isn’t just something we look at—it’s a space where we reflect and calm ourselves.
Q. What do you want people to take away from the experience and healing you provide?
When you look at my reproduction works, I hope you feel the depth and beauty of traditional Korean painting. When you look at my original works, I hope you enjoy seeing how Korean elements can be reinterpreted with the artist’s own emotions. Just like how good food, good places, good music, good scent, and good art make us feel happy— I hope my paintings can give you a sense of joy and comfort too.
맞춤코스 문의하기