Jin Lee

How long have you been at CPC? 

I’ve been at CPC for 5 months since January.

What’s your favorite type of printmaking? 

I love each technique but enjoy lithography and intaglio the most. I’ve been practicing copper plate etching these days at CPC.

Why do you make art?

Making art for me is making objects to project or generate the excess love or energy that I couldn’t express to others, which means I have an oversupply of “love” compared to demand.

What other media do you enjoy working in? 

I love working with every type of metal. Besides etching copper plates and aluminum litho plates, I’ve designed metal furniture as a sculpture.

What direction are you planning to go in the coming year with your work?

This upcoming fall, I plan to take a one-year Professional Training Program at the Tamarind Institute in New Mexico. I want to master every printmaking technique one day!

What book are you reading currently? 

I’ve been reading Life a User’s Manual written by Georges Perec. Perec is one of my favorite writers. I admire the experimental storytelling styles of each book.

What is your favorite non-art distraction? 

I’m a science lover. I don’t know much about it, but I am interested in physics, especially particle physics. I started working with aquatint at CPC because I found an interesting similarity between the rosin particles and the Higgs boson particle of the Standard Model, which assigns the mass to every particle in the field based on its attraction. When I first learned about the Higgs boson, it explained the gravitational feeling of etching.

Who are 3 artists (dead or alive) that inspire you?

Shusaku Arakawa, Barry Le Va, and Korean poet Jenny Lee

Who is your favorite printmaker?

It could be a bit controversial, but Wade Guyton is my favorite printmaker, even though he categorizes his work as paintings.

What was the last gift you gave someone?

Yesterday I sold my used sewing machine to one of my friends, and I gave him several green embroidery spools and a picture book I published titled Dance, as a “thanks for getting rid of my old stuff gift”.

What’s your favorite thing about CPC?

Working in CPC shop, I had several awe-inspiring moments with customized tools such as the litho stone rails, drying rack arch holders, and screen printing squeegee holders. Those small elements are lovely, and I can feel how much the staff and members love CPC.