-, b. unknown

Leeje (b.1979) chooses urban life and surrounding people as subjects for her paintings, portraying what she sees: sceneries of city landscapes in middle of development, self-portraits with her clothes pulled up to the shoulders at the center of desolate construction site and streetlights brightening the darkness of way home from work or gathered people around dinner tables. Like such, the artist has been focusing on disappearing sceneries or unnoticed individuals who are living their lives somewhere. From this aspect, Leeje could be categorized as Post-Minjung artist. She, however, prioritized the attitude of aesthetic while seeking her subjects through affectionate gaze and conveying them in her works, rather than giving a harsh critique. Thus, Leeje tries to build a relationship with the world by exploring the possibility of paintings that can depict memories, emotions, solidarity, and friendship. Leeje has held solo exhibitions at A-Lounge, Seoul (2023), Space Sansumunwha, Seoul (2021), Chosun Gallery, Seoul (2017, 2014), OCI Museum of Art, Seoul (2010), and Alternative Space Loop, Seoul (2006). She also has been enthusiastically participating in group exhibitions, including Walkie Talkie Shaking, Art Space Boan, Seoul (2022); With Nature: Still Life and Landscape, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul (2020); The Funeral Growing Everyday, Post Territory Ujeongguk, Seoul (2019); Twin Peaks, HITE Collection, Seoul (2016); Sixth Sense, OCI Museum of Art, Seoul (2015); Spectators, Doosan Gallery, Seoul (2014); Do Window Vol,4, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul (2012); Painters, PKM Gallery, Seoul (2011); and Intuition, Hakgojae Gallery, Seoul (2010). Leeje received BA and MA in Fine Art from Kookmin University, and currently lives and works in Seoul. In 2019, she has been selected as one out of three artists for a prominent program supporting artists’ creative works, the Chong Kun Dang Art Award.