Young Son Lee

Painting became a passion for me when a teacher at the Parsons School of Design, Stephanie Rose, first introduced me to Abstract Expressionism and the works of De Kooning, Kline and Pollock. It spoke to me in a similar way as the calligraphic gestural ink paintings of the landscapes and Chinese characters I was familiar with from my childhood in South Korea. I was struck by the deliberate, fearless, free brush strokes, and expressive content of the work.

Later, I studied the art of acrylic stain painting with Larry Poons and Ronnie Landfield, both artists who played a large role in the Color Field and Lyrical Abstract movements of the 1960’s. My preference for this medium and method is rooted in the freedom and range of expressive possibilities.

Colors, which excites me the most, can be kept luminous and vibrant by overlapping transparent layers of pure color stains. Soaking and staining thinned out paint in successive layers can result in surprising surfaces, shapes, and edges aiding in creating atmosphere, mood, and poetry. It is also the excitement of ‘going with the flow’; staying attuned to the process and working with the unfolding work, which I love about creating and working in this style and medium.

As a painte...

*Masters of Arts Degree: New York University, NY (2011 – 2013).

*Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree: Parsons School of Design, New York, NY (1988-1992).

*The Art Students League of New York, NY (1999-2003/2010-2013). Studied under Larry Poons and Ronnie Landfield.

2003 Brick, Cork Gallery, Lincoln Center, New York City.

2003 The Art Students League of NY Building Renovation Benefit, Salander-O’Reily Galleries, New York City.

2002 Solo exhibit, The Gallery of Fox & Fowle Architects, New York City.

2002 The Art Students League of NY Building Renovation Benefit, Salander-O’Reily Galleries, New York City.

2002 Warm Days, Blue Skies, The Municipal Building Gallery, Office of the Manhattan Borough President, New York City.

AWARDS:

2003 Merit Scholarship for painting, Art Students League of New York, NY.

2002 Red Dot Award for Class Show, Art Students League of New York, NY.

2001 Blue Dot Award for Class Show, Art Students League of New York, NY.

2000 Red Dot Award for Class Show, Art Students League of New York, NY.

1992 Gold Thimble Award, Parsons School of Design, New York City, NY.

1988 Parsons School of Design Fashion Textile Scholarship, Parson School of Design, New York City, NY.