So Youn Lee’s pastel-toned paintings represent a childlike fantasy realm that reflects her inner world. Inspired by manga, these vibrant works feature a genderless, wide-eyed character she calls “Mango” and considers a partial extension of herself. Lee has had solo exhibitions in New York City, Seoul, and Manila; her works have earned her a large international following, including more than 66,000 fans on Instagram. Lee’s psychedelic visions feature anodyne imagery like clouds, tropical fruit, and dogs, including her pet Choco. While seemingly innocuous, they point to strategies Lee employed to combat her own disorientation as a South Korean immigrant in the United States, exploring themes related to alienation and foreignness as well as optimism for the future.

So Youn Lee

South Korean

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Artist

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