JooLee Kang
Vivarium #5: pen on paper mounted on wood panel, 39.5x32”, 2024
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Vivarium #6: pen on paper mounted on wood panel, 39.5x32”, 2024
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Mythical Landscape #1: pen on paper mounted on wood panel, 46x72”, 2024
Artist Statement
I focus on change of ecological environment, transition of living organism, and evolution, created
inevitably, to survive together. I interpret complicated interaction between human and nature in
various perspectives, ask for understanding and consideration of our possibility and dignity through
pen drawing and mixed installation.
The cross-hatching technique that I use is a European traditional method for etching which is known
for book illustrations in a history. These illustrations were not supposed to be seen but to be read until
we fully understand the meaning, placement, and content of each item. It happens to my drawings as
well that require reading.
I aim to go beyond simply recreating the mainstream issues of the present day such as humanity’s rule
over nature, taking a neutral view that comes from a broader perspective and exploring the close
symbiotic relationship between humanity and nature. My works are a metaphor for the close bond
between humanity and nature, which are often thought of as being in diametrical opposition, or a
relationship of subordination, but are in fact woven together like a single piece of fabric. Crossing
border between lives and objects, past and present, existence and phantom based on the theory ‘New
Materialism’, the borderless perspective of nature and civilization is the key of my recent art work.
inevitably, to survive together. I interpret complicated interaction between human and nature in
various perspectives, ask for understanding and consideration of our possibility and dignity through
pen drawing and mixed installation.
The cross-hatching technique that I use is a European traditional method for etching which is known
for book illustrations in a history. These illustrations were not supposed to be seen but to be read until
we fully understand the meaning, placement, and content of each item. It happens to my drawings as
well that require reading.
I aim to go beyond simply recreating the mainstream issues of the present day such as humanity’s rule
over nature, taking a neutral view that comes from a broader perspective and exploring the close
symbiotic relationship between humanity and nature. My works are a metaphor for the close bond
between humanity and nature, which are often thought of as being in diametrical opposition, or a
relationship of subordination, but are in fact woven together like a single piece of fabric. Crossing
border between lives and objects, past and present, existence and phantom based on the theory ‘New
Materialism’, the borderless perspective of nature and civilization is the key of my recent art work.
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JooLee Kang is a visual artist actively working in both Korea and USA. She is holding her MFA from
Tufts University – School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and BFA from Duksung Women’s
University in Korea. Her significant exhibitions are in Gallery NAGA (USA 2024, 20, 17, 14), Harold
J. Miossi Art Gallery at Cuesta College(USA 2023), Soorim Cultural Foundation: Kim Hee-Su Art
Center(Korea 2021), Seoul National University Museum of Art(Korea 2021), Seoul Museum of Art -
SeMA Storage(Korea 2020), Amorepacific H.Q.(Korea 2019), Korean Cultural Center(Spain 2018),
Transit Gallery at Harvard Medical School(USA 2018), Fitchburg Art Museum(USA, 2018),
Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art(Korea 2018), Suwon Museum of Art(Korea 2018), and Taipei Fine
Arts Museum(Taiwan 2017), The Gallery at Penn College, PCT(USA 2015), and Museum of Art at
University of New Hampshire(USA 2014). Kang has been invited as an Artist-in-Residence at
Glenfiddich AiR(UK 2023), Gyeonggi Creation Center(Korea 2018), Cheongju Art Studio(Korea
2017), Willapa Bay AiR(USA 2015), and Inside-Out Art Museum(China 2014). Public collections
including National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art: Art Bank(Korea), Gyeonggi Museum
of Modern Art(Korea), Yangpyeong Art Museum(Korea), Facebook Korea(Korea), Miramar
Shopping Centre(Hong Kong), Noble and Greenough School(USA), and Tufts University(USA).