Curtain for Earrings: Yoonjeong Lee's
Art Comes to the LINE LA
12.12.2024
Host Jack Inslee
Explore the intricate world of Seoul-based sculptor Yoonjeong Lee in this episode of Hear, HERE. Hosted by Jack Inslee at the LINE LA, this conversation delves into Lee’s artistic journey, from her early love for crafting to her innovative work with metal and AI. Lee’s creations reimagine overlooked objects, challenging hierarchies and highlighting the beauty in the ordinary.
Conducted entirely in Korean and translated by curator Jenny from GOBI, the conversation reflects Lee’s philosophy of finding value in the unseen and breaking traditional boundaries in art.
Jack Inslee: Welcome back to Hear HERE! I’m Jack Inslee, hosting this episode from the LINE LA in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Today, we’re spotlighting Seoul-based sculptor and metalworker Yoonjeong Lee, whose works are featured in two exhibitions: Curtain for Earrings at the LINE LA and Heroes and Protagonists at GOBI in East Hollywood. Lee’s conversation was translated by Jenny, a curator at GOBI.
Jenny: My curatorial platform, GOBI, highlights Korean and diasporic artists. I discovered Yoonjeong Lee’s work in 2020 and was captivated by her unique approach. This is her first exhibition in Los Angeles.
Yoonjeong Lee: My passion for crafting began in childhood. I pursued metalworking at Seoul National University, drawn to the transformative process of casting. The preparation and time it takes to mold and solidify metal deeply resonate with me, emphasizing the importance of the process over the final form.
My art elevates overlooked objects—like nails and earring holders—transforming them into pieces of significance. In Curtain for Earrings, I reimagined earring holders, often ignored or undervalued, into visually striking and functional art. The curtain-like structure allows the earrings to interact with light and space, highlighting their presence.
Jack: You’ve recently incorporated AI into your work. Can you tell us about that?
Yoonjeong: Using AI was a first for me. I trained it to replicate textures resembling skin, a deeply personal exploration. The AI’s interpretations revealed unexpected beauty, inspiring me to see familiar elements in new ways. It’s a dialogue, not just a tool, where both AI and I learn from each other.
Jenny: Your work often explores dualities. Can you expand on that?
Yoonjeong: My pieces challenge hierarchies, emphasizing equality between elements. For example, in Heroes and Protagonists, nails and frames share equal importance. It’s about redefining value—recognizing the essential roles of both the visible and the unseen.
Jack: Reflecting on your journey, what would you tell your younger self?
Yoonjeong: I’ve always been quiet and observant, drawn to subtle details. Sometimes I wonder how my art might differ if I had been bolder or traveled more. Yet, I value the introspection that shaped my perspective and work.
This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Find the installation Curtain for Earrings by Yoonjeong Lee, presented by GOBI, on view at the LINE LA from November 1st through January 31st.
Listen to the whole story above, and follow along on Spotify.
Photo by Brooke Olsen.
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