Five minutes with: Jung Lee

I Want To Be Your Love by Jung Lee

Jung Lee has participated in Biennales all over the world and is something of an upcoming talent in her home country of Korea.  She received her Master's degree in Photography from the Royal College of Art, UK and she also studied journalism at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Korea. This month Jung is making her Middle East debut with a solo show at Green Art Gallery in Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz. Here we catch up with her for a quick Q&A.

Q: This is first time you have exhibited in Dubai and indeed the Middle East, how do you feel about that?

A: I am so excited about the first solo show in Dubai, indeed in the Middle East. My work is about modern and universal emotion in neon and I’m curious how the viewer will see my work from a different angle.

Q: What is your opinion of the UAE's art scene?

A: There seem a lot of interesting and strong issues that UAE artist explore. The subjects such as identity or politics are very unique and special. I think contemporary UAE's art should get more known to the West and Asia.

Q: Your work draws on deep literary references that may need explanation but in the end it is about love - do you feel anyone can relate to it or must they be aware of the references?

A: Intimacy is the merit in my work. I hope the viewers relate my work to their own feeling and experience freely.

Q: Is your work based on personal experience of love lost and gained?

A: I don't think any artist can work on what they haven’t truly understood. Although my work stems from personal experience, I owe a lot to others’ stories and even literature. Finally, I feel like I have experienced them all.

Q: You studied journalism and your art is centred on words - are the two linked?

A: Studying journalism helped broaden my viewpoint to observe the world. I am interested in something invisible behind media. Maybe that’s why I perceive text as image and explore the relationship between them.

*  Jung Lee Solo Exhibition runs until October 23 at Green Art Gallery, Alserkal Avenue. Open from 10am-7pm, Saturdays to Thursdays (closed Fridays).