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| Artist Lee U-fan appears at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Wednesday, holding his workbook to confirm the National Forensic Service's decision earlier this month that some of his paintings had been counterfeited. / Yonhap |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Artist Lee U-fan said the 13 paintings scientists earlier concluded as being forged are genuine after examining the artwork, Wednesday.
Lee, 80, has been at the center of a forgery scandal revolving around 13 of his works since last year.
The artist was summoned by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Monday and visited the Intellectual Crime Investigation Squad to authenticate the artworks. It was the first time the artist saw the allegedly forged copies of his works in person.
However, he deferred a final decision on the authenticity of the artwork in question until reexamination. He returned to police Wednesday afternoon with catalogues of his works and a magnifier for examination.
"I found nothing wrong in all the 13 pieces. The use of color, rhythm and breathing are all mine," Lee said. "I was being discreet on the issue because I didn't see the paintings personally."
He also confirmed that he wrote the confirmation document attached to some of the questioned works, declared counterfeits by other professionals.
The police said they respect Lee's opinion, but will continue their investigation.
Regardless of Lee's decision, Hyeon, the gallery owner, who was indicted for distributing "forged" Lee paintings, admitted during questioning that he faked Lee's works, Tuesday. Lee refused to comment on this.
Lee's works are among the most expensive created by a living artist in Korea. Known for his conceptual art, he is one of the artists who pursed "dansaekhwa" (monochrome painting) and the Japanese Mono-ha (School of Things) trend.
His "From Point" and "From Line" painting series are highly sought after at auctions both domestic and abroad.
Rumors of forged Lee paintings started around 2012, but Lee consistently denied the possibility of his work being counterfeited, citing that the paintings are highly abstract. In October 2015, police raided a gallery in Insa-dong on suspicion it was selling a forged Lee painting. In January, the certificate of authenticity for a Lee painting ― sold for 490 million won at a K Auction in December 2015 ― was found to be forged.
In general, the artist's opinion is valued in distinguishing forgeries, but Lee has been contradicting other appraisers including the National Forensic Service, which judged the paintings fake based on scientific tests.
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