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About the artwork

In this variation, the structure leans slightly toward asymmetry, giving the piece a more natural, less controlled character. The branching feels spontaneous, as though shaped by unseen forces rather than strict intention. This introduces a sense of unpredictability, closer to how trees evolve in nature. The copper retains its industrial identity, yet the form resists uniformity. There is a subtle tension between order and irregularity, making the work feel more alive. It invites the viewer to consider imperfection as a form of authenticity within constructed nature.

About the artist

For decades, Lee Gil Rae has used nature as his muse and crafted sculptures from steel and copper pipes. In his persistent need to create organic forms Lee Gil-Rae takes it one step further in creating man-made nature. His works consist of surreal, leafless forests that one can meander into, with spiralling branches that are unnatural in structure but organic in aesthetic. These draw the viewer in to witness the intricate exteriors that mimic the curves and notches of aged tree bark. His sprawling branches fan out and are tipped with wisps of copper representing the needles of the pine trees, in true homage to Mother Nature. With rapid deforestation, Lee Gil-Rae's trees narrate the artificial nature that city dwellers so closely identify with. The man-made and constructed simulation of nature is apparent in all towns and cities. Nature is removed and confined to make room for the ever-expanding population.