Kyejin Lee
Utopia 101, 2023
Digital Illustration, 43 x 58 in.
My artworks, Utopia 101, depict a place where diversity and pluralism prosper. Influenced by Jean-François Lyotard (1924-1998), a French philosopher, I have tried to tell a 'little narrative' of every individual in the modern society. Contrary to a "grand narrative," which shows a universal, totalizing approach to various historical events and cultural phenomena, a "little narrative" makes room for multiplicity, incommensurability, and local consensus. In every piece of paintings, there are different people and stories. By depicting the scenes of multiple figures in various circumstances, I wanted to convey the importance of pluralism as well as anti-racism.
As a reflection of a pluralistic society, there are diverse groups of small human figures in my artworks. I have intended to express the Utopia in modern society where individual is respected and people live in harmony with the nature. In my opinion, peaceful coexistence of different interests, ideas, and lifestyles is the symbol of Utopia in the contemporary world. My ultimate goal is to depict various aspects of modern people's life and commemorate them. Though my artworks, I hope I can provide a meaningful perspective on nature and share thoughts on the NYU futures with the viewers.
Kyejin Lee is from Seoul, South Korea, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts from Seoul National University in Oriental Painting. She will receive her Master of Arts from New York University's Institute of Fine Art in the Spring of 2023. From 2015, she has been working on portraying a utopia where the diversity and individuality are found. Her work explores the diverse lifestyles in society today and the intimate relationship between the nature and the civilization. She deals with themes such as diversity, harmonization, individuality, and ideal spaces.