Born in South Korea Gyeongsangnam province, Lee Ufan is now internationally active in Japan and France. After dropping out of Seoul National University of Fine Arts, Lee came to study in Japan and graduated from the Department of Philosophy at Nihon University in 1961. Lee has received significant attention internationally as a prominent member of the Japan-based Mono-ha group, where activities of the Mono-ha group mainly occurred at the school of Yoshishige Saito at Tama Art University in the latter half of the 1960s.

Lee's artistic style emphasizes the materials' aesthetics, including wood, stone, and iron plates. This approach has remained consistent throughout his career. His drawings and paintings visually conveyed this critique, serving as precursors to his From Point and From Line series. These works showcased a minimalist visual language blending Eastern and Western aesthetics and philosophy, emphasized through his use of dots or lines. Lee's innovative methods of art creation highlight the connection between the observer, the artwork, and the environments they occupy, making him acknowledged in the art world. He is also known for his philosophical writings that question established concepts of art production, with a focus on spatial and temporal circumstances.

In 2010, the Lee Ufan Museum opened on the island of Naoshima (designed by prominent Japanese architect Tadao Ando). In 2022, Lee opened his permanent exhibition centre in Arles, France.