Faith in Form: A Life Recast Through Color and Calling
From the earliest years of his life in Korea to the present day in California, Paul Art Lee’s journey has been shaped not only by a commitment to creativity, but by a deeper, unwavering devotion to faith. His life straddles two distinct yet inseparable callings: that of an artist and that of a pastor. In his hands, these two identities are not at odds but operate in harmony, each enriching the other. His artwork is not simply visual; it functions as a kind of sacred language—each brushstroke a sermon, each symbol a prayer. In a world often fractured by noise, Lee’s paintings invite stillness, offering an encounter with divine presence through visual storytelling.
Lee’s decision in 1995 to step away from professional art marked the beginning of a nearly three-decade-long silence that was anything but empty. During this time, he immersed himself in ministry, education, and community service, reaching out to the homeless and teaching students with disabilities. Although his creative output ceased, the spiritual formation that took place during those years laid the groundwork for what would later become a resurgent and reinvigorated artistic vision. In the quiet recesses of pastoral work and daily communion with Scripture, Lee’s creative spirit was being reshaped, waiting for the right moment to emerge again—this time with a clearer sense of mission and meaning.
That moment came in February 2023, when he felt compelled to return to painting. But this return was not a nostalgic revival; it was the culmination of decades of spiritual preparation. Prompted by what he describes as a direct encounter with the Holy Spirit, Lee launched his Light of Life series—a body of work that not only signaled his return to the canvas, but crystallized his dual calling into one unified voice. Drawing deeply from passages like Isaiah 60:1–3 and John 1:4, this series speaks to divine illumination in a darkened world, offering viewers both spiritual and emotional resonance. For Lee, art is now an embodied gospel—a luminous act of worship and witness.
Paul Art Lee: From Silence to Illumination
The evolution of Lee’s artistic style reflects the profound shifts in his life and vocation. While his early work engaged more directly with performance and personal expression, his current approach blends conceptual and spiritual elements within a postmodern framework. His canvases often juxtapose intricately rendered figures or objects with abstract, ethereal backgrounds, creating a visual tension that mirrors the spiritual paradoxes he has lived through. This stylistic synthesis mirrors the inner reconciliation he has sought for decades—between chaos and order, pain and peace, silence and proclamation.
At the heart of Lee’s visual language is a rich vocabulary of symbolism. Objects such as water droplets, flowers, and animals are rendered with a precision that invites close examination, while their placement within atmospheric and often luminous spaces hints at deeper, unseen dimensions. These elements are not arbitrarily chosen; they are anchored in Scripture and prayer, emerging from extended periods of spiritual reflection. The use of radiant light in his work is especially notable—not merely a visual motif but a theological assertion. Light, for Lee, is synonymous with the presence of Christ. It embodies protection, healing, and the promise of eternal life.
A particularly meaningful piece within his Light of Life series is Light of Life – Protection, executed in acrylic on canvas. This painting encapsulates the heart of Lee’s message: God’s unwavering care in a world filled with suffering and uncertainty. The work holds deep personal significance, marking not just a creative milestone but a testimony of faith rediscovered. Through this piece, he offers viewers a sanctuary—a place to witness the quiet, enduring protection of divine love. It also serves as a bridge between his pastoral work and artistic expression, bringing together the healing ministry of both vocations into a single, cohesive image.
Symbolic Grace: The Story Behind the Canvas
Lee’s creative process is an extension of his spiritual rhythm. His day begins and ends with prayer and Scripture, creating a sacred frame around his studio practice. Painting, for him, is not simply a task to be executed but a dialogue with God. This intentional rhythm of spiritual grounding transforms his creative environment into a space of worship. The canvas becomes an altar where faith and art intersect, and each work is born not just out of technique or theory, but through revelation and obedience. This depth of purpose distinguishes his work, giving it a gravitas that resonates across cultures and continents.
In terms of technique, Lee fuses various disciplines within a single canvas—realism and abstraction, traditional drawing and modern composition. His brushwork often emphasizes contrast, creating atmospheres that suggest both presence and absence, clarity and mystery. This interplay mirrors the spiritual journey he has traversed, from darkness into light. Influences such as Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro can be felt in the emotional weight of his compositions, while the luminous palettes recall the color sensibilities of Matisse or Chagall. Yet, Lee’s style remains distinctly his own, marked by a sincerity that rises from lived experience and theological meditation.
The role of symbolism in Lee’s work cannot be overstated. Every element on the canvas is layered with spiritual intent. A fruit might symbolize the abundance of God’s grace; an insect may represent transformation or fragility. Lines, often seemingly abstract, suggest divine boundaries or the architecture of a spiritual world. Each visual decision is informed by Scripture and prayer, reinforcing the idea that the artwork is not merely seen—it is meant to be contemplated. In this way, Lee invites the viewer into an interactive space, where art functions not as a spectacle but as a mirror, revealing spiritual truths that transcend the visible.
Paul Art Lee: Illuminating the World Stage with Sacred Vision
Since returning to active artistic practice, Lee’s work has garnered attention across the globe, leading to invitations from major international exhibitions. From Paris to Los Angeles, his Light of Life – The Love Story series has been displayed in settings that span cultural and denominational lines. Whether at the Salon des Artistes Français or the Biennale Chianciano in Italy, the response has been consistent: audiences are moved not only by the technical finesse of the artwork, but by the spiritual message it carries. This wide reception affirms that the language of divine love and restoration resonates universally, transcending religious or geographic boundaries.
Among these experiences, Lee identifies the 2024 solo exhibition at EK Art Gallery as particularly significant. This exhibition marked a full-circle moment—the public unveiling of a vision that had been forged in decades of prayer, silence, and inner work. It was more than just a gallery show; it was a spiritual culmination, where each piece stood as a testimony to the faithfulness of God through years of waiting and transformation. The show created space for viewers to not only see, but to feel, to reflect, and to engage with the sacred narrative woven into each canvas.
Looking ahead, Lee remains focused on expanding the Light of Life series with new thematic layers. The forthcoming sub-series, The Story, will continue to explore the Gospel’s message through fresh symbolic frameworks. He is also preparing for appearances at prestigious art fairs and biennials in Basel, Cannes, New York, and Los Angeles. Beyond the gallery walls, he hopes to publish a companion booklet to deepen audience engagement and partner with institutions that share his gospel-centered vision. Through each of these initiatives, Paul Art Lee continues to affirm that art, when rooted in truth and love, can illuminate hearts and inspire transformation on a global scale.
