Meet Yoonjung Lee

We recently connected with Yoonjung Lee and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have YoonJung with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Painting is more than just a medium of expression for me. It’s a way of understanding myself and navigating my relationship with the world. The various faces, hands, and perspectives I depict in my work feel like a mirror reflecting my inner thoughts and emotions while also serving as a window through which others can explore their interpretations. When life becomes overwhelming, and I start to feel overly sensitive, painting grounds me, acting like a friend that offers comfort and balance. I often find myself emotionally unsettled without it, so maintaining this creative practice is essential for my well-being.

In my artwork, the intertwined hands and faces sometimes represent entanglement or even confinement, but I am always searching for hidden hope and new possibilities within those layers. My paintings reflect how I navigate challenges, find answers, and draw strength to move forward.

However, my relationship with painting isn’t always easy. Sometimes, I feel distant from it, and when that happens, it takes a lot of courage to reconnect. It’s like reaching out to an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, not knowing how the reunion will feel. But every time I take that step, I regain confidence and self-esteem. My artwork grows through this ongoing process, and so do I. Each piece becomes a part of that journey, helping me understand myself better and inviting others to explore their paths.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a sculptural painter based in New York, focused on exploring mental health, identity, and the complexities of human experience. My work combines painting and sculptural techniques, using thick layers of acrylic to create portraits that express multiple perspectives and emotions. What makes my practice unique is the way I balance spontaneity and intentionality—allowing the paint to flow freely at first, then refining the piece with thoughtful details. Hidden writings and subtle textures within my work encourage viewers to engage deeply, provoking both visual and emotional introspection.

In addition to my artistic practice, I’m also the proud founder of CARR (Cellar Artist Run Residency), an exciting program designed to spark collaboration and push creative boundaries. We launched our first session in the vibrant heart of Brooklyn, NY, and it was a transformative experience for both the artists and the program. Now, we’re taking it up a notch—CARR is evolving into a traveling residency starting in the spring/summer of 2025. Imagine creating in inspiring locations, surrounded by other passionate artists, while exploring new landscapes and cultures. This next phase of CARR will offer a unique chance to dive deeper into your own artistic journey and experiment with new mediums.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I believe the three most important qualities in my journey have been courage, hope, and the ability to support myself financially. Courage has allowed me to take on new challenges and push my creative boundaries, while hope has kept me going through difficult moments. Financial stability has given me the freedom to focus on my art without constant external pressure.

For those starting out, I’d recommend developing these areas—take risks, stay hopeful in tough times, and create a solid financial foundation to support your growth as an artist.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

As I navigate my 30s, I find myself grappling with the challenge of balancing the demands of adulthood with my artistic practice. While responsibilities and worries have multiplied, I’ve noticed that the small daily habits that once defined my creative process, like drawing every day, have started to slip away. Lately, I’m consciously trying to reconnect with painting, recognizing that while art is always present, it requires my active engagement to flourish truly. I’ve come to realize that it’s my curiosity and focus that keep the creative spark alive.

I recall hearing that female artists in their 30s were often undervalued, particularly when marriage and family came into play as if those responsibilities could diminish their art. Now that I’m in this phase, I see how much my world and my relationship to it have evolved. My greatest challenge now is reconciling these shifting realities with my artistic ideals and blending them into something meaningful. I know, however, that no matter how much life changes, my commitment to creating art will never waver. Like many artists, I hope to keep that creative fire burning for the rest of my life, and I wish the same for others—that our hands never let go of the art we are so passionate about.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Copyright © 2024 YoonJung Lee | All Rights Reserved | yoonjung0130@gmail.com | @Artnion

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