Contact:
Email: tang.artproject@gmail.com
Instagram: tang_artproject
Bio
Sangmin Tang Lee (b. 1993, South Korea) is a queer visual activist based in Seattle, U.S., and Seoul, South Korea. Lee began their artistic career after graduating from Bellevue College, WA, where they worked as an artist assistant under trans activist and artist Molly Vaughan from 2017 to 2018. While working as an assistant, Lee encountered grand portraiture and old master paintings, which deeply influenced their artistic practice.
In 2021, Lee became the first openly queer artist to present both a solo exhibition and a drag performance at Seoul N Tower. Their work has since featured in South Korea and the U.S. In 2023, Lee received the Jury’s Choice Award at the Seattle Erotic Art Festival (SEAF) and led a workshop at the University of Utah Asia Campus. Their work was also included in an exhibition celebrating Seattle Pride’s 50th anniversary in 2024. Lee recently won the MetaU Art international competition and was featured on Artsy for Pride Month.
Lee has been featured on The People’s Archive podcast with Dr. Kara and in The Korea Times. Their ongoing project “New Identity” explores Asian queer and trans lives while challenging social norms and creating dialogue around their issues. In 2025, Lee received a full scholarship from ILGA Asia.
Press
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Life as an LGBTQ+ in South Korea
The Korean Times podcast
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In conversation: Sangmin Tang Lee
Interview with Insight of an Eco Artist
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Namsan Tower’s First LGBTQ+ Event Makes History
On January 15, 2022, history was made at the N Seoul Tower. For the first time ever, an exhibition was held by a queer artist (Sangmin Lee) at N Seoul Tower.
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"XPOSED - Naked & Not Afraid"
The Knox Contemporary Gallery of Art in Calgary, Alberta, Canada is pleased to announce “XPOSED - Naked & Not Afraid”, Exploration of the Human Figure, Human Sexuality & Identity Exhibition.
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Forum Magazine Spring 2021