Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eugene Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Eugene, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I’m currently studying MFA Photography at Parsons. The core project I worked on was ‘Collective Pieces of Water (2024),’ exploring how to materialize my personal memories, perspectives, experiences, feelings, and words related to water. I vividly remember playing with wooden blocks as a child, especially the texture, sound, and the process of matching and arranging them. Photography also functions as a medium for memory, helping to recall past moments. By attaching photos to wooden blocks, I created physical photo tablets that merge childhood play memories with images of water, making them tangible and meaningful. My work focuses on capturing water’s connection to nature and its subtle, constantly changing qualities. Even slight shifts can lead to dynamic transformations, which inspire me. Some photos don’t immediately appear to be water, reflecting its infinite forms. I include sentences and words in the grid, the personal reflections on water, serving as intimate statements. This piece invites viewers to interact by touching the tablets, opening and interpreting the text, and rearranging or stacking the photos. Scent and sound evoke nature and water, creating a multisensory experience. The audience is free to arrange the blocks in ways that resonate with their perspectives, making it personal and open-ended. Ultimately, the work is not just about collected pieces of water but about water as a collective and multifaceted element. Because water is difficult to define in words, this process resembles a puzzle or riddle. Through interaction, viewers reflect on their memories and feelings about water, embracing its mystery and fluidity, thus contributing to a shared experience.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Art has been my lifelong companion. Taking art classes at a children’s academy was my first encounter with art. Now, after 17 years of exploring art, I have practiced painting, ceramics, and photography. My diverse background has shaped my work into something that feels more authentically mine. Currently, I am pursuing an MFA in Photography at Parsons. I am not a traditional photographer, so I approach photography very differently. For example, I experiment with tactility in photos, which comes from my background in ceramics studied during my BFA. Beginning with my last fall semester project, ‘Collective Pieces of Water(2024),’ I crafted photo wood blocks arranged in a grid that evoke childhood memories of playing with wooden blocks. This project taught me how to reconnect memories with the present, making them tangible through our hands. This ability to blend past memories with physical art forms is my strength in pursuing art, rooted in my unique background. As I continue my journey, I hope to expand this sensory and emotional language, creating works that invite others to pause, reflect, and engage with the subtleties of memory and material. Art, to me, is not only a form of expression but also a tool for connection.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal in this artistic journey is to become a versatile artist by using my BFA in ceramics and MFA in photography. During my MFA in photography, I discovered that my ceramics background brings a unique flavor to my work. Although I appreciated the flatness of photography when I worked in ceramics, I am now exploring its tactile qualities, which is somewhat ironic. I intend to use this perspective and skill set to make my art stand out. This intersection of mediums allows me to challenge conventional boundaries and continually rediscover new ways of seeing. I believe this openness to material and conceptual interplay will guide the evolution of my future work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I personally enjoy being an artist because I can share my own perspective, especially when people are inspired by the idea. My art embodies calmness, thoughtfulness, and highlights the mundane things we often overlook in everyday life. These qualities bring together a collective of emotions and memories. Through this process, I find a sense of connection, not only with myself, but also with others who resonate with the quiet beauty in the everyday. Art becomes a gentle bridge between personal reflection and shared experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.leeugene.com
• Instagram: leeugene_art, u_zeeeni
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeugene

Image Credits

Eugene Lee’s documentation of ‘Collective Pieces of Water(2024)’, ‘Traces of Life(2025)’, ‘ball, summer, playground, chalk, rainbow, beach, flowers, beautiful and aching(2025)’