We were lucky to catch up with Sungjae Lee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sungjae, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is a large installation titled <Broken Water>. It was inspired by a personal story involving my family, especially my wife and son. The project originated from a moment when my wife was undergoing a dramatic transformation into motherhood during childbirth, which left me both moved and scared. The sight of the amount of blood during the birth made me worry, especially when Miyoung, my wife, passed out after our son was born.

My creative process involves gathering impressions of subjects I’m interested in. For this project, I was particularly drawn to the transition from a person I loved to one who not only stood by me but also became a sacred spirit in our family. The project began with the construction of a half sphere in the air using nylon lines and thread, with the intention of illustrating cascading layers beneath the upper sphere. I found joy in the unintended outcomes of the project, such as the shape of skirts and waves that emerged while connecting and stabilizing the structure. Fortunately, these elements and details fit well into the thematic approach, deepening my attachment to the work.

My career began with animated videos, so I often had to search for and learn how to use tangible materials to visualize my ideas. During the creation of <Broken Water>, an image of small figures underneath the main body of the work came to mind. A couple of months before the project’s completion, my parents shipped baby goods from Korea, and it was a delightful experience for me to see and handle them. I sculpted tiny objects such as shoes, t-shirts, toys, and cars, as small as sunflower seeds or a little fingernail, to represent the items. I initially thought there were 300 objects to represent the pregnancy period (which I thought was 10 months), but a recent encounter with a lady who saw the installation informed me that the correct number of days is 280, so I will keep this in mind for future showcases.

I was honored to win the grand prize at ZOOM-IN EDITION 5 from the Galleries Art Fair 2024 in Korea with <Broken Water>. When I stood in front of the audience, I tried to maintain composure, but I couldn’t help but burst into tears when I looked at my family. The title of the work and the circumstances surrounding it all align perfectly, especially as Miyoung is expecting our second boy in July.

Sungjae, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My passion for storytelling through art began at a young age, around 13 or 14, when I aspired to be a cartoonist. This passion led me to pursue a major in cartoon and animation during my undergraduate studies. My early works were characterized by line drawings and motion, culminating in animated landscapes. The period between 2011 and 2016 was particularly memorable, marked by significant opportunities and growth. However, on March 3rd, 2016, I encountered a challenge that would change my artistic trajectory.

Like many media and video artists, I grappled with a longing for physicality and the constraints of expensive hardware required for quality output. This pivotal moment pushed me to explore new avenues for my creativity. In my small, dimly lit studio, I rediscovered the tactile nature of paper and nib pens, transforming pen drawings into three-dimensional works using nylon strings and thread.

Over the next two years, I delved deeper into these materials, refining the contexts of my work. Drawing inspiration from my experiences living in the US, I began incorporating personal anecdotes into my motifs. “Her Real Secret” emerged as a series of installations and drawings that captured my impressions of America. Memories from the early ’90s, as seen through a CRT television, depict a middle-class family in a beautiful home, celebrating Christmas with well-wrapped gifts by the fireplace. These images, along with visions of Michael Jordan on the court and Michael Jackson’s iconic dance moves, fueled my imagination and longing for life in the US, where my aunt had settled in New Jersey.

Following my studies at CalArts, I settled into a one-bedroom apartment, dedicating myself to creating installations, drawings, and animations. Despite the dimness of my living space, I found solace in the bright, expansive environment of shopping malls. Inspired by the abstract color-field paintings of Barnett Newman from 1940s New York, I returned to my studio armed with lace and fiber from the mall, constructing compositions that echoed the brightness and grandeur of those mall spaces.

My art has evolved to encompass not just landscapes and places, but also reflections of my family life. Since the birth of my son, I’ve been drawn to portraying the experiences of exhausted mothers who sacrifice for their husbands and children. I utilize a variety of tools and materials, such as thread, lace, fiber, textures, and fabric patterns, to convey these narratives.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I consider the period in 2016 to be a major pivot in my career, marking a transition from digital media to tangible materials. This shift not only influenced my artistic direction but also had a profound impact on my life. While all my works explore aspects such as motion, drawn-line-based techniques, and shifts in impression, the struggle to translate these into physical objects brought about diverse changes.

I find solace in witnessing the progress of my works as they gradually occupy physical space. The tactile experience of working with materials is akin to spending time with a quiet friend who consoles me simply by being there.

Another pivotal moment came when my son began to converse with me. I had to explain my art to him in friendly and simple terms. Initially challenging, this experience taught me how to communicate not only with children but also with older individuals who find joy in the simplicity of everyday life. While studying, I had aimed to be unique, but this pursuit became a trap, diverting me from what I truly wanted: to express myself through my strengths as authentically as possible.

Recently, I’ve been nostalgic for my animation work. Although I’ve created some animations for my solo shows, I’m constantly exploring ways to integrate lighting, physicality, and possibly media art. While I hope to achieve this goal in the next 2-3 years, I remain open to how this journey unfolds, as it represents a significant turning point that will bring me back to my artistic roots.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are several resources that have significantly influenced my life and creative thinking, but one that stands out is a Korean monk named Beopjeong. He is widely respected as a spiritual figure and the author of ‘No Possession.’ His teachings emphasize the importance of letting go of what we don’t need, conveyed in simple words and expressions accessible even to those without a formal education.

One enlightening episode involves Beopjeong’s involvement in translating Buddhist texts. Despite his pride in this work, he was humbled by an encounter with a middle-aged lady who visited his temple and asked, ‘Where are the genuine words of Buddha?’ He directed her to the translated wooden texts, but she dismissed them, saying, ‘I thought they were just laundry boards!’ This incident prompted Beopjeong to reflect deeply and write the essays that would become ‘No Possession,’ a monumental work that resonated with people seeking spiritual solace in a secular world. The simplicity and accessibility of his writing, combined with its profound Buddhist principles, contributed to its widespread impact on Korean society.

I have shared Beopjeong’s story more than a hundred times, and it has fundamentally shifted my thinking and speaking patterns. His desire for people to forget about him and his work, to be free from unnecessary attachments, resonates deeply with me. Although I promised myself to stop talking about him a couple of years ago, I find that his teachings continue to be relevant and inspiring to many, including myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sungjaelee.com
• Instagram: sjlee.art
• Other: https://vimeo.com/849873210?share=copy

Image Credits
Photo credit: Sungjae Lee, www.sungjaelee.com, model: Miyoung Kim