Exploring the Surreal Art of JeeYoung Lee
Korean artist JeeYoung Lee creates worlds of surreal beauty and mystery in her tiny 3 meter x 6 meter studio in the Mangwon-dong neighborhood of Seoul. The 30-year-old documents her dreams, memories, and emotions by building thematic sets and photographing herself as a character in their narrative. The otherworldly images, which were recently exhibited at the Opiom Gallery in France, portray a tangible representation of the artist’s imagination, making it hard to believe that she builds the scenery herself without using Photoshop.
Treasure Hunt
It took Lee three months to create this magical nocturnal landscape. The grass is made of craft wire, with every single piece connected to a mesh screen. Inspired by childhood memories of holidays spent at her grandparents’ farm, she recalls how fireflies lit up against the dark shrubbery after nightfall. “To me, they looked like they were on a treasure hunt,” she explains, using that as a metaphor for the challenges of finding one’s ideal amidst difficulties.
Interview by Milena Veselinovic
Courtesy JeeYoung Lee
Broken Heart
Korean proverb “to hit a rock with an egg” serves as the basis behind this image depicting Lee’s heartache: “Eggs are so fragile and easy to break, so I felt they would be a poignant contrast to the firmness of the rocks,” she says. Lee’s gaze is fixed away from the camera, acting merely as a prop in a larger narrative.
Black Birds
Fears and negative feelings are represented as menacing crows bursting through a door in the floor, while a figure cowers in the corner of the room. Lee states, “For me, large birds are threatening… the doors represent future changes and challenges I will have to go through.” These images have a cathartic effect on her life.
I’ll Be Back
In this photo, traditional Korean painted fans are arranged to resemble a whirlpool from which a hand reaches for the rope above. Lee encourages viewers to contemplate the ambiguity of the scene — whether the figure is losing grip or reaching out for salvation, symbolizing despair and hope.
Childhood
At first glance, this image encapsulates the idyllic innocence of childhood. However, the ticking clock toward midnight hints at vulnerabilities and the impending changes that accompany growing up.
Nightmare
Lee uses paperclips to illustrate how small worries can accumulate into burdens that we carry through life. The clips cling to the figure, demonstrating the oppressive nature of unseen stresses.
Panic Room
Feeling confused and scared, Lee employs optical illusions to convey her emotional turmoil. By altering the dimensions of sewing tools, she evokes fear over changes in familiar environments and the unforeseen difficulties that could arise.
Food Chain
This artwork depicts sharp spindly veins rushing towards a pregnant figure, symbolizing both vulnerability and new hope. Lee’s imaginative art reflects a personal narrative about readiness to embrace the world.
My Chemical Romance
In this piece, Lee showcases her struggles with communication, depicted through a maze of pipes emitting a white vapor. The imagery uses colors that signal warning, reflecting the complexities of her relationships.
