Renowned artist Lee Bul, known for her radical and enigmatic works, has faced numerous challenges while creating four sculptures for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Despite falling ill and even getting bitten by a centipede, Lee persevered in finishing the pieces, which will be unveiled on September 12. The sculptures, part of the Met’s high-profile Facade Commission, are a departure from her past work, incorporating figurative and abstract elements while questioning conventional ideas of art in public spaces. Lee's sculptures, resembling uncanny beings, challenge traditional notions of guardianship with their abstracted, fractured forms. Drawing on her earlier "Cyborg" sculptures and personal experiences, the pieces evoke a sense of familiarity while also inducing slight discomfort. Lee's tumultuous personal history, including her parents' activism and her own challenging experiences, has deeply influenced her artistic practice, which is characterized by a devotion to handmade craft and a subversive approach to traditional forms. This display at the Met marks Lee's first museum show in the United States in nearly two decades, and her intention is to evoke a range of mixed emotions and a slight feeling of unease in viewers. The sculptures, though serving as guardians, maintain an air of elusiveness and imperfection, reflecting the complexities of contemporary society. Lee’s work continues to defy categorization, embodying a profound and enigmatic power that defies easy understanding.