Sona Lee

How did you get into making art?

I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. Growing up, drawing and painting were always ways for me to spend time alone and process what I was feeling. I loved making art, and it was something that always made me feel both peaceful and happy. Eventually, it felt natural to pursue art as my field of study, and that path has continued to lead me to where I am today.

What are you currently working on?

Grounded in philosophical reflection and personal experience, my work explores the unconscious through liminal and transitional spaces. I often begin with familiar environments that, when layered with fragments of memory and unconscious imagery, transform into unfamiliar, dreamlike spaces. The figures and objects within them become vessels through which memories and imagined fragments create new narratives.

What inspired you to get started on this body of work?

I became interested in how a familiar place can overlap with another memory or an unconscious image and become something entirely unfamiliar. From there, I began thinking about the way we reconstruct memories. When we recall an experience, I don’t think we simply replay what happened. The memory is subtly regenerated and recreated each time, shaped by other experiences, emotions, and the passage of time.

That process of transformation became an important starting point for this body of work. I became particularly interested in what remains after a memory has changed or faded—the fragments, sensations, and images that linger. This led me to think about the “afterimage” as a psychological and sensory condition, and to explore how these lingering traces can be translated into painting.

Do you work on distinct projects or do you take a broader approach to your practice?

I tend to take a broader approach to my practice. Rather than thinking of each body of work as completely separate, I see my paintings as different parts of an ongoing exploration.

What’s a typical day like in your studio?

Before stepping into the studio, I map out what I need to work on for the day. When starting a new piece, I gather photos I’ve taken, organize my thoughts by writing, or look back at my old notebooks to brainstorm ideas. Most of the time, I prepare several digital collages before officially beginning the artwork.

Who are your favorite artists?

Recently, the artist I’ve been most interested in and looking at frequently is the Korean artist Yoo Youngkuk. I also listen to a lot of Joe Hisaishi’s music while developing ideas or painting in the studio.

Where do you go to discover new artists?

One of the things I love most about living in New York is that there are so many art-related events and exhibitions happening all the time. I discover artists by visiting different galleries, meeting artists at openings, and sometimes searching for artwork online as well.