Latte art exists in many forms, but not many are quite as intricate as Lee Kangbin’s special variety. The 26-year old Seoul-based barista has built a unique brand of works called CreamArt, using cups of coffee as his canvas.
While other coffee artists are sculpting cute creatures out of cappuccino foam, Kangbin is playing more in the 2D relam, recreating famous artworks like Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Edvard Munch’s The Scream in exceptional detail.
We’re pretty sure Van Gogh would be proud.
Having worked as a barista for 11 years, Kangbin now owns and operates in Seoul, where he showcases three works from the CreamArt menu a month. Something simple like a cute bear goes for about AU $7.50, while the more complex coffees are sold close to the $30 mark.
“CreamArt is not just pretty coffee, he tells SBS Food. “It’s designed to show off the taste of my coffee and also to include art. It’s important to be recognised, but I hope everyone knows that taste is just as important.”
Kangbin uses food colouring and an etching pen to achieve his renderings, which wouldn’t be out of place hanging on a gallery wall somewhere.
And if you’re more of a traditionalist, know that Kangbin does the classic flat-white heart like no one else.
BEAUTIFUL FOOD
Vanilla latte squares
