Artist based in Seoul, South Korea
Jay Lee, Portrait of the Artist
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I dreamed of being a painter when I was little. I started painting with my daughter 6 years ago, which reignited my passion for art.
Installation view of Journey and Bugambilia
Journey, 2023, Pigment, coffee grounds, and acrylic on fabric, 3000 x 150 x 200 cm
Bugambilia, 2023, Pigment and Acrylic on Fabric, 200 x 150 x 100 cm (total 6 pieces of fabric, various sizes)
"I travel and collect inspirations from local environment. As a nomad, I pack, move, unpack, explore, and connect. This cycle of detachment and attachment brings new perspectives not only from new things I encounter, but also old things I thought I knew."
Jacaranda dreams, 2023, Pigment and acrylic on canvas, wire, and dried flowers, Various size, 274 x 160 cm for canvas
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
I'm currently working on an upcoming exhibition in Seoul, Korea that celebrates the natural state of being for us; being close to nature, and making a variety of wishes.
Landscape of Wishes, Pigment with Rabbit Skin Glue and Gum Arabic on Linen, 740 x 200.5 cm for fabric, 2024
With the given topic, my inspiration comes from new year's wishes of myself and others with a visual motif that comes from the nature such as mountains and rocks, and iconic moments of making wishes in Korean traditional culture such as praying to planets in the sky such as a full moon, a rising sun in the new year, and a bright star at night, blowing a candle on a birthday cake, and handmaking stone towers on mountains to pray to a mountain god.
I'm hoping that this installation of wishful moments in nature remind us all to continue to have dreams and wishes in our daily lives.
Wishing Stone, Ceramic, Various sizes, 2023
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
I travel and collect inspirations from local environment. As a nomad, I pack, move, unpack, explore, and connect. This cycle of detachment and attachment brings new perspectives not only from new things I encounter, but also old things I thought I knew.
A Wish to the Planet - Cote d'Azur Violett, Natural pigment on handmade paper from Mexico, 18.5 x 14.5 x 5 cm, 2024
I also learn a lot through local artists and peers while doing international artist residencies. These programs give me a system to quickly connect and learn in a new city. I feel really grateful that I was able to meet lots of inspirational people in my journey.
(Left) A Wish, Beeswax on handmade paper from Mexico, 16 x 10 cm for paper, 2023.
(Right) Wishing Pole & Totem, Pigment and pastel with Rabbit Skin Glue on canvas, Various sizes, 2023
Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
I don't really plan ahead. I just go out, start making observations, and freely feel whatever speaks to me. For me, my journey itself becomes the beginning, the process, and the end of art making. It's like logging a visual diary every day. It's a recollection of what's meaningful to me in each step of my journey.
(Left) Studio in Austin, TX, US, 2023 June. (Right) Mexico City
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
For most paintings, I just start without any sketch or plan. I just grab materials I want to use for the day, start making marks, and go with the flow. Initially, painting was my emotion diary of the day; therefore it was crucial not to overthink and just let my feelings out on a paper or a canvas. Meanings and compositions emerge naturally during the process of making paintings.
(Left) Studio in Buamdong, Korea, 2023 Feb. (Right) Studio in Tulum, Mexico, 2022 Oct
For installations, I quickly sketch many different ideas and directions to amplify the connotations of the work. I often use my paintings in my installations. So installations often start by looking at my paintings and then think back what they meant to me at the time of making them. Then the topic I want to address becomes clearer, which then gets translated into installation ideas. I usually have multiple rough ideas and adjust them as I install them.
(Left) My future, my current, and my past, 2023, Acrylic and oil pastel on canvas and fabric, Jacaranda branch,
and peeled off wall paints, Various size, 150 x 150 cm for canvas, fabric
(Right) Artist at work
Many artists live by their routines, do you have your own studio or work ritual? What does that look like for you?
Music is very important in my studio. When I want to feel more grounded, I play my favorite playlist. When I want to get amazed and inspired, I play new discovery playlist. Also I need the sunlight to stay happy while creating. Changes of natural light and shadows are really inspirational for both paintings and installations. If I feel stuck or a bit down, I go out and take a long walk. Mindless walking gives me a fresh insight and boosts my energy especially with trees, sunrays between them, and songs and sounds of natures or an inspirational podcast.
Studio in Itaewon, Korea, 2022 Dec
Local Arte Tulum Exhibition
Who are your biggest influences?
My life events. It could be big things like moving to a new city, interactions with my daughter, business work, or it can be very small things that happened.
Say Sweet Silence, Book of Love detail
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Lots of books and sometimes films. Source of inspirations keep changing as my situation, mood and focus on interests change.
Installation view of Home, Origin and New Home
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
When you keep doing what you love, your worst becomes others' ordinary. - an advice my friend in Berkeley gave to me to encourage me to paint every day.
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Keep creating for yourself and for the world.
A Wish to the Planet - Kyanite Dunkelgrau, Natural pigment on handmade paper from Mexico, 18.5 x 14.5 x 5 cm, 2024
Stay up to date with Jay Lee
Website whywhatmatters.com
Instagram @jay.art.making