" i won't hurt you, but you might get hurt.
i won't please you,
but you might be pleased
the door is here. the key is in your hand.
everything is up to you
in plain world........."

biography

JUNG JI LEE
AKA; MASAYUKI LEE

Born in Tokyo, Japan
currently work in Los Angeles, USA

Education
Sep.2003-Dec. 2005 The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL, USA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, emphasis in Painting
Jun.1999-Dec. 2002 Santa Monica Collage, Santa Monica, CA, USA A.A. Degree
Apr.1994-Mar. 1998 TEIKYO University, HACHIOUJI, TOKYO, JAPAN
Bachelor of Economics

artist statement

Kondomozo is a character that I invented. He serves as my surrogate self, a synthesis of Korean and Japanese cultures, a metaphor for the meeting of opposites, and the border that separates them. While one may interpret this character as a reflection of a variety of ideas and aesthetics particular to Asian experiences and identities, Kondomozo is primarily a response to the racism I faced as a bi-racial person. I wanted to create a creature who is culturally flexible and who personifies self-acceptance.

The universe that Kondomozo inhabits is constructed from conscious and subconscious drawings, doodles, text and maps. The palette is inspired by cave paintings.
Kondomozo’s simple shape is repeated and juxtaposed against a chaotic, drawn environment. Kondomozo acts as a smooth-skinned, nearly-featurless guide, in a wildly unpredictable and marred universe.

I find inspiration in the work of several artists and the aesthetics of many cultural movements. These influences include: Jean-Michel Basquiat; On Kawara; Yoshitomo Nara; Inka Essenhigh; Mark Manders; Laura Owens; Suh Do-ho; Cy Twombly; Julie Mehrets; Andy Warhol; Jackson Pollock; Gustav Klimt; Noh Theater; Japanese YOUKAI story with Natsuhiko Kyougoku works; KOTODAMA; Super Flat-Takashi Murakami; Otaku culture and Mandala painting.

I believe that everyone perceives themselves—in some way—as a minority of sorts. It is my hope that Kondomozo may act as an ambassador of “Other-ness” and that people of all backgrounds will feel at home with him, or curious about him.

Exhibitions & Commissions
May. 2010 group show, revisiting beauty, in occca, 117 North Sycamore Santa Ana CA 92701 USA
Jan. 2010 2010 Juried exhibition #1 2010, Artslant, http://www.artslant.com/la/main
Jun. 2009 Group show in Infusion gallery, 719 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, California 90014 USA
Aug. to Oct. 2008 solo show, chop chop gallery, 830 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles CA 90038 USA
July. 2008 tandem show with Kazumi Tanaka, sculpture, LA artcore, 120 Judge John Aiso street Los Angeles CA 90012 USA
Jun. 2008 Group show in Hangar gallery, 3026 Airport Ave. Santa Monica CA 90405
USA
May. 2007 We Love Liberty, Gallery Brown, 140 South Orlando Ave. Los Angeles CA 90048, USA
Apr. 2007 Nippon Steel competition part 2, Nippon Steel USA, 900 North Michigan Ave. Chicago IL, USA
Feb. 2007 Around the Coyote Winter Festival 2007, Around the Coyote Gallery, 1935-1/2 W. North Ave. Chicago IL, USA
Feb. 2007 Nippon Steel competition part 1, Nippon Steel USA, 900 North Michigan Ave. Chicago IL, USA
Jan. 2007 Open Painting 2007 exhibition, Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street, Providence, RI, USA
Jan. 2007 The Martin Luther King Jr. Day Mural Competition, American Youth Hostels, 24 East Congress Parkway, Chicago IL, USA
May 2006 The Undergraduate Thesis Exhibition, Gallery 2 SAIC, 847 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago IL, USA

Awards
Jan. 2010 Juried exhibition #1 2010 winner, Artslant, http://www.artslant.com/la/main
Jan.2007 Open Painting 2007 exhibition, Second Place Prize, Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street, Providence, RI, USA