LEE Bul had not planned it. But her new artworks alluding to societal collapse and dystopian visions have an uncanny resonance with the prevailing imagery depicted in today’s headlines. 

South Korea’s leading artist has long been engaged with the social, political and cultural concerns of her time. Her art often provokes viewers to confront the anxieties and fears that permeate modern life, from the impact of technology on human relationships, to the vulnerability of humanity in the face of authoritarian politics.

Her latest sets of prints at STPI, Singapore’s most international gallery, are captivating as they hint at societies in chaos and turmoil. The 59-year-old artist says: “We started working on these prints even before the pandemic. Back then, I would sometimes stand back, look at them and wonder: ‘Are these too dark for the viewer?’