Jung ji Lee

Kondomozo and Ubume are two characters that I invented. They serves as my surrogate self, a synthesis of Korean and Japanese cultures, a metaphor for the meeting of opposites, and the border that separates them. While one may interpret this characters as a reflection of a variety of ideas and aesthetics particular to Asian experiences and identities, Kondomozo and Ubume are primarily a response to the racism I faced as a bi-racial person. I wanted to create a creature who is culturally flexible and who personifies self-acceptance.

The universe that Kondomozo and Ubume inhabit is constructed from conscious and subconscious drawings, doodles, text and maps. The palette is inspired by cave paintings.

Kondomozo and Ubume's simple shape is repeated and juxtaposed against a chaotic, drawn environment. Kondomozo and Ubume act as a smooth-skinned, nearly-featurless guide, in a wildly unpredictable and marred universe.

I find inspiration in the work of several artists and the aesthetics of many cultural movements. These influences include: Jean-Michel Basquiat; On Kawara; Yoshitomo Nara; Cy Twombly;Jackson Pollock; Gustav Klimt; Noh Theater; Japanese YOUKAI story.

I believe that everyone perceives themselves—in some way—as a minority of sorts. It is my hope that Kondomozo and Ubume may act as an ambassador of “Other-ness” and that people of all backgrounds will feel at home with them, or curious about them.

Education

Sep.2003-Dec. 2005 The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA

Bachelor of Fine Arts, emphasis in Painting

Exhibitions & Commissions

Jul. 2018 Apocrypha, Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega blvd Los Angeles CA 90069

Jun. 2018 Magnify, Raw Artist Los Angeles, Exchange LA, 618 S. Spring st. Los Angeles CA 90014

May. 2018 Resist and Recover, KYO gallery, 111 S. Patrick st. Alexandria VA 22314

Jan. 2018 Bunk, Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega blvd Los Angeles CA 90069

Oct. 2017 Brewery Art Walk, 2100 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Aug. 2017 Tandem show, Opodz, 362 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dec. 2016 LAAA’s open show, Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega blvd Los Angeles CA 90069

Oct. 2016 Countenance Divine, Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega blvd Los Angeles CA 90069

Jul. 2016 Juried exhibition #6 2016 winner, artslant, http://www.artslant.com/la/main

Feb. 2016 The Foolish Game, Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega blvd Los Angeles CA 90069

Dec. 2015 Undertones, CO-LAB Gallery, 5319 York Blvd Los Angeles CA 90042

Oct. 2015 Chestnut, Gallery 825, 825 N. La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles CA 90069

Jul. 2015 Osmosis, wallspace, 607 N. La Brea Los Angeles CA 90046 USA

Jan. 2015 6th Annual Drawing Discourse Exhibition, S. Tucker Gallery, 107 Own Hall CPO#1840 UNC Asheville One University Heights Asheville NC 28804

Jul. 2014 Synthesis, wallspace, 607 N. La Brea Los Angeles CA 90046 USA