Inside the Studio

Heeju Lee

Favorite material to work with?
I always work with oil paints on canvas. Have no interests in other materials.

What themes do you pursue?
The themes of my paintings started from my home. I have worked with the themes of spatiality which space has and of memory which I have lived in such space and today. Early works contained a bit actual forms but I think more about abstract themes of memory and today rather than spatial elements.

How many years as an artist?
I have painted since I was so young. I have worked on current works since 2009.

Where is your studio?
Kyeongbuk-do, Gimcheon.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
“You have to keep trying something whether success or failure.”

Art school or self-taught?
I majored in art at university.

Prefer to work with music or in silence?
I like music. But when working, I hardly listen to music. It depends on my mood at that time.

What’s around the corner from your place?
Ironworks, fish shop, a bank, pubs…

Where can we find you outside the studio?
Supermarket, the bank.

If you couldn’t be an artist, what would you do?
Farmer.

Day job?
I don’t do anything other than painting.

Favorite contemporary artist?
Nam June Paik and Francis Bacon.

Who are your favorite writers?
Colin Wilson, Park Kyeong Ri.

Favorite brush?
Flat brush.

Palette knifes?
I don’t use other than for mixing paints.

Monet or Manet?
Monet.