Lee Ho-guk: The Art of Persistence

Lee Ho-guk’s path to the art world has never been straightforward; his story is one of persistence.

Lee grew up in Gangjin, in the southern part of Jeollanam-do and comes from a typical, traditional large Korean family comprised of five brothers and one sister. Lee relates that his interest in art goes back to childhood: “Even before elementary school I liked drawing on the ground, making sculptures. My grandmother kept saying, ‘Oh, you’re going to be an artist!’” With his family’s encouragement, Lee’s artistic ability flourished at a young age and he went on to win national art competition prizes in both elementary and middle school, where he studied water color with Yang Kyu-chul, a well-known water color painter.

Lee’s success in school was not limited to art: “I studied very hard and was always the top student in my grade.” This academic success resulted in ambitions to attend high school in Gwangju.

When he completed middle school, though, he had an unwelcome surprise: “My father called me into a small room and told me I would have to stay home and help with the farm; he didn’t have money to pay for high school.”

His education did not end there, as a teacher from the Gangjin Agricultural High School convinced him to attend classes because they were free. Attending high school did not excuse him from his responsibilities, so after classes he helped with farm work before studying late into the night. Even though his school did not employ an art teacher, Lee remained resolute: “I didn’t want to lose my dream to be an artist.”

So, he sought out other schools’ art teachers in Gangjin and would meet them after school. He thus continued his art education and practiced his skills in the moments of free time, when he was not otherwise occupied by farm or school work.

After high school, Lee desired to continue studying art in university. However, he had not had the opportunity to learn expected techniques as many students spend years doing, so he came to Gwangju to attend an art hagwon. The circumstances to do so were not easy. Lee relates, “Most students go for three years or more and spend a lot of money. My mother had borrowed some money from a neighbor, so I went to it for just one month.”

His sacrifices included eating just one ramen meal a day and sleeping at the academy. His father was angry to learn the truth upon his return, as he had not realized the cost of attending an art hagwon: “He didn’t understand what is necessary to become an artist.” However, Lee emphasizes that his father had always been one of the biggest supporters of his dream.

The next step was to take the test to be admitted to university for art, and though not accepted in Seoul due to lack of technique, Lee was offered a scholarship to attend Mokpo University, where he majored in fine arts, focusing on oil painting. After university, Lee wanted to continue his studies, but money continued to be problematic. For two years he painted without working, but quickly realized, “I couldn’t paint without money.”

That was when a relative of a local hagwon owner recommended Lee do some work for the school. He admits to being really happy, “Because I was finally getting money and could paint without worry.”

He initially designed materials for the school and performed general duties, but after five years he was offered the position of office manager, a title he still holds.

As always, Lee has not let other responsibilities keep him from pursuing his dream. He explains his daily schedule involves working at the school from 1 to 10 p.m., then eating dinner at home before beginning work on his painting, “usually finishing between 1 and 3 a.m.” He is also an involved father, having been married for nine years with two young sons. He helps get his sons ready in the mornings before continuing his painting until going to work.

Lee describes his painting as focused especially on form: “I like to deform people and things. I don’t like things that look just like a photograph.” His most recent work involves movement and repetition, represented in two ways – one with lines and one with dots.

His persistent work has paid off, as Lee’s credentials include numerous appearances of his artwork in group exhibitions. Additionally, his fifth solo exhibition just finished its month-long run at the Dohwahun Museum in Goheung. Lee admits, “When I started getting my paintings in galleries, I really wanted to stop working and only paint.”

But he is keenly aware of his responsibility to his family. In addition, he is made cautious by the attempts of others: “I have seen many artists attempt to only paint, without working, but after three or four years, they have completely stopped painting because they have no money.”

However, Lee admits that he soon might make the leap himself; “Recently I have been thinking it’s time to only paint.”

His future plans do not end there though, as Lee would also like to gain the credentials to become a curator and eventually open his own museum near Gwangju. Lofty goals, for sure, but for anyone who understands the persistence with which Lee pursues his dreams, it would be unwise to bet against him.