18/01/2026

ON SUNDAY January 18, 2026 VI theSunday Special

Lee’s art teaches us about movement, meaning and mindfulness

Art can happen naturally, without

BY DAYANA SOBRI

But this is not just about viewing art on a screen. It is about rethinking what art is DQG KRZ LW FDQ KHOS XV SDXVH UHÀHFW DQG reconnect with our bodies in a fast-paced world. Lee’s best-known works come from his Bodyscape series, inspired by a moment many parents may recognise. “My daughter had just started learning to walk. One day, she fell while holding a crayon and left a line on the wall. That simple line – made by accident – made me realise that art can happen naturally, without planning or intention,” Lee said. For many Malaysians who grew up in homes where children were often scolded IRU VFULEEOLQJ RQ ZDOOV WKLV VWRU\ ÀLSV WKH narrative. What if those messy lines were not signs of mischief, but early signs of creativity? Instead of traditional brushwork, Lee uses his own body – arms, hands and movement to draw large, sweeping lines. Sometimes he turns his back to the canvas. Other times, he paints sideways, reaching as far as his body allows.

planning or intention.”

Lee

W HAT if a simple move ment – like stretching your arms or walking across a room – could be a form of art? For South Korean artist Kun-yong Lee, the answer is yes. For more than 50 years, Lee has explored the relationship between the human body and artistic expression, chal lenging the idea that art must be carefully planned, painted or performed on a stage. Now, 15 of his works are available digi tally, giving Malaysians the opportunity to engage with his creations in an entirely new way: From the comfort of their own homes.

Lee standing proudly in front of one of his recent masterpieces, Love Embrace.