Meet Yubin Lee | Illustrator and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yubin Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yubin, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am originally from Seoul, South Korea – the place where I was born and raised. But, my upbringing involved frequent relocations, which led me to explore various corners of the world, including England, Virginia, China, and now, my current home, New York City. As cliché as it may sound, this kind of lifestyle has played a key role in shaping the person I am today. I often wonder how different my life would have been had I grown up solely in Korea. The exposure to diverse environments and cultures during my travels has significantly broadened my perspective on life.

Being immersed in different environments has gifted me the opportunity to surround myself with people from various backgrounds. These experiences have been enlightening, as they have given me a more comprehensive outlook on the world and encouraged me to embrace diversity. As a result, I have become more of an adaptable and easy-going person. My ambition has also grown and I find myself inclined to avoid conventional paths, seeking new challenges and opportunities instead.

These blissful experiences have left a huge mark on my art as well. My artistic expression has evolved significantly through my journey across these diverse locations. I now find myself more willing to take artistic risks, experimenting with different styles, approaches, and subject matters. My wide-ranging perspectives have been a powerful tool for creating unique artworks.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art revolves around intrigue, storytelling, and intricacy, aiming to provoke wonder and curiosity in viewers. Each piece is filled with meticulous details and a narrative that requires more than just a glance to be fully perceived. I find this approach so enjoyable, as it allows me to convey lots of ideas and emotions, inviting viewers to absorb every bit of it. My ultimate desire is to cultivate curiosity in people through my art, inviting them into the expansive world I have constructed and offering a wonderful experience.

Within my work, you’ll find a delicate balance between darkness and edginess, laced with a touch of whimsy to add a sense of lightness. This combination serves to create a unique and engaging atmosphere, capturing the imagination of those who encounter it.

Throughout my art journey, I have learned the significance of finding my true artistic voice, which is essentially my distinctive style. Staying true to myself and not being swayed by external influences or popular trends is important. Instead, I prioritize my genuine enjoyment and passion for the subjects I explore. I believe that staying committed to this authentic path will ultimately lead to rewarding results and genuine happiness. Pushing boundaries and remaining true to oneself is the key to creating art that lasts a lifetime.

Through my art and my story, I want people to understand that my passion lies in a world brimming with wonder, fantasy, and unexpected surprises. I want them to recognize that each piece carries an element of surprise, as I relish in incorporating unexpected twists and details. My goal is to continually spark fascination and captivate the imagination of those who encounter my work, inviting them to share in my sense of wonder and creativity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in New York City, where there are so many things to do and places to check out. My favorite neighborhood is honestly the East Village. To me, the place is vibrant and filled with cool restaurants and spots to explore. For lunch, I’ll probably take my friend to this Sichuan place and then get some dessert at a matcha cafe. Afterward, we can check out some nearby thrift stores and search for hidden gems together.

Later on, I might take the train to Brooklyn, where I live, and head to Williamsburg. We can explore more thrift spots, relax by the water, and take in the view of Manhattan. We’ll also make a stop at the comic store Desert Island to browse through their extensive collection of books and admire their cool posters. It’s a place I always make sure to visit whenever I have the chance. To end the day, we’ll walk into any laid-back bar for happy hour and enjoy some drinks. I enjoy chill days like this with good company. After that, we’ll probably head home and call it a night.

The next few days, we can do something more exciting, such as going to Central Park, visiting the Met, exploring art galleries, going shopping, clubbing, and so much more.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to express my appreciation and give a huge shoutout to all the mentors who have been significant in my art journey since my school days. It all began back when I was a sophomore in high school and had the privilege of being taught by my first art teacher, Yanghee Lee, at the art studio in Virginia. I cannot overstate the impact she had on my life – she was the one who truly ignited my passion for art. Recognizing something within me that I hadn’t seen myself, she provided encouragement when I lacked confidence in my work, empowering me to believe in myself. Thanks to her guidance, I was able to create a remarkable body of work, even as a beginner. I really believe that the art I created under her teachings played a crucial role in gaining admission to my dream art colleges. One day, I hope to return to Virginia and visit her, though we’ve lost contact. I sincerely wish her well and hope she knows the profound impact she had on my life.

Moving forward in my artistic journey, I want to extend a massive shoutout to my favorite professors at the School of Visual Arts, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in illustration. Matt Rota and Yuko Shimizu are undoubtedly the best professors I encountered throughout my time there. The knowledge and insights I gained from them were invaluable. Similar to my high school art mentor, they too constantly encouraged me, eradicating any self-doubt and instilling more confidence in my work, inspiring me to keep pushing forward.

Website: https://www.eelnibuyart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eelnibuyart/