My photographs often reflect the pain and hurt that I have experienced in my life, as well as the self-comfort and release that I find through creating art. They also speak to a range of emotions, including anger, hatred, compassion, lingering feelings, chitchat, qualification, sexual desire, lack of affection, happiness, hope, joy, and disappointment.
Emotion through Photography: The Art of Lee Tae Min
Lee Tae Min is a photographer based in Seoul, Korea who has been working in this field since 2007. Growing up in this vibrant and dynamic city has had a profound impact on Lee Tae Min’s work as an artist. Lee Tae Min’s photographs often reflect the pain and hurt that he has experienced in his life, as well as the self-comfort and release that he finds through creating art. They also speak to a range of emotions, including anger, hatred, compassion, lingering feelings, chitchat, qualification, sexual desire, lack of affection, happiness, hope, joy, and disappointment. These themes are all deeply personal and are shaped by Lee Tae Min’s experiences and perspective as a Korean artist. At times, Lee Tae Min’s work may challenge or confront the social norms and rules that govern our world, as he seeks to express and confront the dark and heavy emotions that can weigh on his heart. Photography has provided a way for Lee Tae Min to shake off these burdens and to find some measure of catharsis and release.
A Journey of Emotional Exploration
Lee Tae Min, through his photography, seeks to explore and depict the complex and often conflicting range of emotions that shape our human experience. Lee Tae Min’s work aims to capture the raw, unstable energy of tumultuous feelings, as well as the subtle, hidden moments of happiness and contentment that can sometimes be buried beneath the surface. By weaving together these opposing themes, Lee Tae Min hopes to create visually striking and emotionally impactful imagery that speaks to the depth and complexity of the human condition.
Throughout his career as an artist, Lee Tae Min has been fortunate to draw inspiration from a wide array of talented and influential figures in the field of photography. From the groundbreaking work of Anders Peterson, Daido Moriyama, Robert Frank, and Ralph Gibson, to the guidance and mentorship of the Korea Contemporary Photography Laboratory, photographer Um Won-seok (Danny Eom), and writer Kim Hyun-tae (Hyun-Tae Kim), these individuals have all left a lasting impact on Lee Tae Min’s artistic development and have helped shape the way he approaches and creates his work. Their contributions have been invaluable to Lee Tae Min’s growth as an artist and he is deeply grateful for their influence on his artistic journey.
A Path of Continuous Growth
In order to continually improve and develop his art skills, Lee Tae Min has sought out opportunities for education and training. One such opportunity has been the Contemporary Photography Laboratory, PHOTOism, where Lee Tae Min has had the opportunity to study and learn from experienced professionals in the field. Through this experience, Lee Tae Min has been able to challenge himself, learn new techniques and approaches, and gain a deeper understanding of the art of photography. In addition to formal educational opportunities, Lee Tae Min also strives to stay engaged with the wider artistic community and to be open to new ideas and perspectives that can help him grow as an artist.
At this point in his artistic journey, Lee Tae Min cannot say that there is any specific work or series of works that he is particularly proud of or satisfied with. Instead, he is continually self-reflective and critical of his own creations, and often feels a sense of sadness and disappointment at his own shortcomings as an artist. However, Lee Tae Min also recognizes that this process of self-examination and self-doubt is an essential part of the creative process, and can ultimately drive him to continue improving and striving for excellence in his work. While he may not yet be satisfied with his achievements as an artist, Lee Tae Min is confident that through hard work, dedication, and a willingness to confront his own emotions and experiences, he will be able to create works that truly reflect his artistic vision and that he can be proud of.
Navigating the Personal and the Universal
While Lee Tae Min may have a desire to create more “normal” or conventional works, such as those that depict everyday life and emotions in a straightforward manner, he has come to realize that this is perhaps the most difficult and challenging goal for him as an artist. The complex and often tumultuous nature of his own emotions and experiences often finds expression in his art, and he struggles to reconcile this with his desire to create works that are more universally relatable and accepted. This tension between the personal and the universal, between the raw and the polished, is a central theme in Lee Tae Min’s work and serves as a driving force behind his artistic pursuits. While he may not yet know what form his dream projects will take, Lee Tae Min is committed to continuing to explore and challenge himself as an artist in order to create works that are authentic and meaningful to him.
