Solo exhibition 'Clouds and Road' ran Wednesday–Thursday, featuring about 30 works including AI-generated pieces and paintings
She handled everything from venue booking to planning and direction, and donated all proceeds to a pediatric cancer research group
A 17-year-old Zainichi Korean high school student based in Japan brought together AI-generated works and hand-drawn paintings in a single exhibition, raising questions about what it means to create in an era of generative AI.
Lee Ji-hye, 17, held her solo exhibition "Clouds and Road" at the Design Festa Gallery in Harajuku, Tokyo, on Wednesday and Thursday. A second-generation Zainichi Korean whose father is from Jeju, Lee handled every aspect of the show herself — from booking the venue to planning, directing and running the event.
The central question of the exhibition was what it means for a person to draw by hand in the age of generative AI. The show placed AI-generated images alongside works made by the artist's own hand, inviting visitors to compare the appeal of each and reflect on their own responses.
AI-generated works and paintings by Lee Ji-hye (photo provided by Lee)
About 30 works were displayed side by side in the gallery — pieces created with generative AI alongside paintings Lee made by hand. Visitors were also asked in an on-site survey which type of work they found more appealing.
The works drew on a wide range of materials and techniques. Beyond printmaking, oil painting and charcoal drawing, Lee also presented three-dimensional paintings made with vinyl, broadening the expressive scope of the show. The variety of media was intended to highlight the distinctive qualities of hand-drawn work.
Visitors offered a range of reactions. Some said they were drawn to the creator's individual personality and brushwork, while others felt the AI-generated pieces had their own distinct appeal and that it was difficult to rank one above the other.
Lee, who studies computer science, channeled her interest in both technology and art into the exhibition. She plans to continue exploring the relationship between generative AI and traditional painting, pursuing creative work that bridges the two fields.
All proceeds from the exhibition were donated to the Japanese Children's Cancer Group (JCCG), a Japanese nonprofit that conducts clinical research aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer.
sjkim@heraldcorp.com
