Beyond Time

Kum Ja Lee

August 19 – September 19, 2025

Corrine Woodman Gallery

Reception: August 21, 5:30 – 7 PM (CAW)

About the Exhibition

Beyond Time is an immersive installation by Eugene-based artist Kum Ja Lee, presenting a thoughtful exploration of temporality through the use of transitory light, diverse fibers, and mixed media. Lee’s work delves into the multifaceted nature of time and its manifestations in both the natural world and human
experience. By weaving together Eastern and Western philosophical concepts, Lee creates a compelling visual dialogue that reflects her cultural identity and artistic process.

Central to Beyond Time is the juxtaposition of circular and linear notions of time—rooted in Eastern and Western traditions, respectively. Lee introduces an alternative interpretation of time as a phenomenon that originates from a single point, gradually expanding outward into the infinite. This conceptual framework is
brought to life through the interplay of fibers, space, and light, where reflections, shadows, and shifting illumination redefine spatial boundaries and invite introspective perception.

The installation transforms the exhibition space into a sensory and tactile environment, encouraging viewers to move through it contemplatively. By engaging the senses and prompting reflection, Beyond Time becomes more than a visual experience—it acts as a portal through which visitors can explore their inner
landscapes and reimagine their relationship with time and space. Kum Ja Lee’s installation not only challenges conventional understandings of temporality, but also bridges cultural and aesthetic divides, offering a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience.

About the Artist

Kum Ja Lee is an Oregon-based artist originally from Seoul, South Korea, whose work reflects her lived experience as a Korean-American woman navigating the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures. Through immersive installations, Lee explores the duality of cultural identity and the perception of time, drawing on both cyclical Eastern and linear Western concepts of time. Her work invites viewers into
contemplative environments that bridge cultural perspectives, encouraging reflection on the flow of time, the natural world, and inner harmony. Lee’s installations serve as spaces for meditation, cultural connection, and awareness towards one’s internal and external worlds.