Soyoung Lee (b. 1973, Seoul, Korea) renders evocative self-portraits on canvas inspired by mirror-image distortions reflected in buildings, windows, computer monitors, and phone screens. Through these shifting surfaces, she captures the fleeting, intangible essence of a moment that exists beyond direct visibility. Her practice is not limited to the human form; she also turns to the natural world for inspiration, studying the rhythmic patterns of ocean waves and the way sound vibrates and echoes through space. Each brushstroke becomes a visual translation of movement and resonance, transforming sensory perception into painterly expression.

The artist’s exploration of self-portraiture emerged from a deeply personal turning point following a family tragedy. Through the act of painting, Lee found a way to confront loss and reimagine her own identity. “Through art, I could reinvent and rediscover myself, creating my escape and paradise,” she reflects. Her works often incorporate the interplay of metal, light, water, and sound, elements that serve as both metaphor and medium. In doing so, she constructs alternate realities where multiple versions of the self coexist, forming an ongoing loop of introspection, reinvention, and emotional healing.

Soyoung Lee earned her B.F.A. in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design (Providence, RI) in 1996. Over the years, she has developed a distinctive visual language that merges material experimentation with conceptual depth. Living and working in Irvine, California, Lee continues to expand her exploration of perception, identity, and transformation, inviting viewers to reflect on the layers of reality that shape our understanding of self and experience.