Urban Layers on Marietta Square

Painter/printmaker Kang Joo Lee shows pieces from her most recent body of work, “Urban Layers," at 2 Rules Fine Art.

"Everything has an urban energy feeling that goes with my life and personality," Lee said.  "I feel like there is a certain color in the city, and I like the dynamic of the city."

Born in Seoul and having lived in Chicago and New York City, Lee’s large-scale etchings and paintings reflect her personal experiences in the midst of these massive and urban spaces. 

"I use to go to church every weekend, and I was impressed with the stained glass, the relationship with light and color," Lee said. She describes her work as "half abstract, half realism."

Lee creates frenetic and evocative depictions of the underlying emotional landscape of urban spaces. Lee’s large-scale pieces are often in excess of 9 feet in length and are created by layering screen-printing and painting. The scale is intentionally chosen to give the viewer a sense of being immersed in the urban environment.

Shoes are also a feature in Lee's work. "When you think of the city, a lot think of formal clothes and formal shoes, I like sneakers, the stripe shoes," Lee said. "I'm very active. I want to show my energy, and I like the lightness and layers to do that."

Prior to exhibiting with 2 Rules Fine Art, Lee participated in solo and group shows in Seoul, Chicago and New York. She is an associate art director at PI Art Center in New York and New Jersey, an international art school where many foreign students study and develop their portfolios before transferring to U.S. universities and art schools.

The April 6 opening reception for her show will be held at from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and will include live music and refreshments. The show will remain up through April 28. Gallery hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.