When Memory Wears Pantyhose: Lee Jinju’s Unruly Worlds on Canvas

A dress left in a heap, women treading fragile branches, and everyday clutter—Lee Jinju’s paintings transform ordinary scenes into intricate explorations of the mind. Her works, often described as psychological self-portraits, blend memories with allegory, using repeated objects like fruit peels, thread, and discarded clothes to hint at inner turmoil and resilience. Lee’s technique draws from traditional Korean portraiture, where the spirit is as vital as the form. She meticulously details each element, sometimes focusing on a single strand of hair, and employs handmade pigments for a velvety, immersive effect. Over time, her art has shifted from chaotic interiors to more balanced compositions, yet the emotional charge remains. Recent installations even challenge how art is seen, making viewers peer through barriers—mirroring the elusive nature of memory itself. Lee Jinju’s evolving canvases invite us to witness not just what is visible, but what flickers just out of reach. #LeeJinju #KoreanArt #ContemporaryPainting