Jiyung Lee's artistic journey is a captivating exploration of everyday objects, where she transforms the mundane into something extraordinary. Her unique approach involves starting with a single word, which then branches out into various forms, subjects, and ultimately, a grid-like structure. This methodical process results in illustrations that resemble catalogues, yet they are far from ordinary.
Lee's background in fine art and Communication Design in South Korea and France has been instrumental in shaping her style. The diverse range of classes she took, from printmaking to graphic design, has allowed her to translate ideas into visual language effectively. Drawing, however, remains her cornerstone, as she explores different forms through this medium.
What sets Lee apart is her fascination with the intersection of painting, design, and illustration. She views images as symbols, blurring the lines between these art forms. Her inspiration stems from the structure and organization of everyday items, particularly market stalls and supermarket flyers, where chaos and order coexist. This unique perspective allows her to create compositions that tell stories through arrangement alone.
The process of creating her illustrations involves choosing a subject, dividing the page into a grid, and drawing each object within its own space. Lee uses rulers, circle templates, and ellipse guides to restrict certain gestures while encouraging new and unexpected ones. The forms are stripped back to their essentials, pushed towards the abstract pictogram, and then pulled back to maintain legibility. This delicate balance is a constant source of joy for Lee.
Two notable series showcase Lee's talent. The bread series features croissants, baguettes, and other pastries arranged across a dark background in warm golds and yellows, creating silhouettes that resemble a taxonomy of carbohydrates. Similarly, the insect Riso print series, made in collaboration with print studios, presents beetles, moths, butterflies, and centipedes pinned across a black base in vivid colors, blending the lines between a field guide and a fever dream. These collaborations highlight Lee's appreciation for the tactile and physical qualities of Risograph printing.
At the heart of Lee's work is a profound belief that nothing is purely visual. She emphasizes the human presence behind every object, from its design and creation to its use and arrangement. Even the most ordinary items carry traces of intention and everyday life, making them fascinating through her lens. Lee's ability to capture the essence of the mundane and present it in a captivating manner is what makes her illustrations so compelling.
