Born in South Korea, Lee Ufan moved to Japan in the 1950s, where he studied philosophy and became a central theorist and practitioner of the Mono-ha (Object School) movement. His practice emerged as a critique of Western phenomenology, focusing on the inherent properties of materials rather than their transformation by the artist.

His signature work often juxtaposes industrial materials, such as steel plates, with natural elements like stones, creating a dialogue between the man-made and the organic. His painting practice is equally disciplined, characterized by repetitive, meditative brushstrokes that explore the tension between presence and absence.

Lee continues to receive significant international recognition, including the 2026 Wolfgang Hahn Prize. His work remains a fixture in major global institutions, with recent and upcoming presentations at Dia Beacon and a major exhibition at the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice.