art-culture
"Through the Lens of Time: The Art of Lee Byeongmin"
"Through the Lens of Time: The Art of Lee Byeongmin"
"Through the Lens of Time: The Art of Lee Byeongmin"
Glasses or Gateway?
Are glasses just a tool, or could they be a window to another world? For most, they’re essential for clear vision or a fashion statement. But for Byeongmin Lee, glasses are a medium of communication. Instead of seeing them as mere objects, he scratches, engraves, and draws directly on the lenses. What you get is not just a distorted view—but a visual diary filled with fragments of his memories and emotions.
His signature series, “Diary Through Glasses,” transforms ordinary spectacles into intimate sculptures. Each piece holds a moment he’s lived, etched into lenses that no longer just correct vision but reflect the world through the artist’s eyes. Peering through them feels like borrowing his perspective, even if just for a moment.
The Figure Behind the Glass
A recurring character appears throughout Lee’s works—and that character is himself. His lens-bound universe is woven from what he’s seen, felt, and wishes to remember.
Having worn glasses since childhood due to poor eyesight, he grew acutely aware of how lenses can alter perception. That realization? It’s the heartbeat of his art.
From Needle to Narrative
How does he bring these visions to life? Lee collects old glasses, sometimes from opticians, other times from fellow artists.
His tool of choice isn’t a traditional brush but a simple needle. In his hands, it becomes both pen and paintbrush, carving out stories instead of strokes.
Music lyrics, movie scenes, or a striking line from a book—these are his muses. When something resonates with him, he doesn’t just remember it; he immortalizes it, embedding the feeling into glass like a secret waiting to be discovered.
Shifting Focus: From Time to Action
While Lee’s past works centered around the concept of time, capturing fleeting moments through scratches on lenses, his current focus has evolved to action. It’s less about preserving memories and more about depicting movement, progress, and the dynamic flow of life. This shift marks an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey.
Art as Human Connection
“To me, art is what makes us human,” Lee says.
For him, art isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a language. He hopes people don’t just see his work but feel it, resonate with it, and find parts of themselves reflected back. Art, after all, is how we share emotions, stories, and experiences across time and space.
YEATU: A Bridge Between Artists and the World
When asked about YEATU, Lee describes it as “revolutionary”—a platform that connects artists with investors, fostering networks that help art thrive beyond the studio walls. In a world where artists often walk alone, YEATU acts as a supportive thread, weaving creators, collectors, and communities together.
If Lee had to sum up YEATU in one word?
“A knot connecting hands.”
Just as his art bridges people through the simple medium of glasses, YEATU bridges artists with audiences and investors. Both remind us that art isn’t just something to observe—it’s something to connect us all.
