Born in South Korea and now based in Arles, Sunghee Lee infuses his art with a distinct, transcultural perspective. His latest work, the empty billboard project, audaciously reimagines urban visual culture. By rendering billboards as blank canvases, Lee prompts us to reconsider our engagement with public spaces and the dominance of advertising.

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‍Lee describes his work as a “free space, like a blank screen, a site to project questions and fantasies.” For him, simply clearing a billboard was insufficient. He wrestled with how to animate these inert structures, to prevent them from slipping into tedium. Drawn to photographing these empty frames, Lee plunged into an inquiry of energy within stillness.

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His process involved photographing the billboards from specific vantage points. As Lee stepped back, the surroundings blended into the frame. This integrated the billboard into its environment and vice versa. The interaction added context. The billboards became more than empty spaces. Lee’s obsession with photographing the panels sparked an indescribable curiosity, which he aimed to share through his work.

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The billboards, now devoid of commercial purpose, offer a respite from the relentless visual bombardment of city life. In their emptiness, they invite viewers to reflect on the role of public spaces and how we engage with them. Lee’s project isn’t simply about creating negative space; it’s about instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity in the mundane.

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Building on this invitation to reflect, Lee’s approach stirs a conversation about the saturation of commercial messaging in our lives. By presenting vacant billboards, Lee encourages us to think about the value of what’s not immediately visible – Is it even of value?