UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Doah Lee, assistant professor of art, has a solo exhibition, "Too Muchness," at Jungganjijeom I Gallery in Seoul, Korea, through May 19. The exhibition delves into the intricate layers of identity and cultural norms through the prism of excess and self-expression.
As an interdisciplinary visual artist, Lee navigates the complexities of being perceived as "too much" – grappling with being labeled too Asian in America and too American in Korea. In the exhibition, she employs a diverse range of mediums, including quilting, embroidery, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and mixed media, to critically examine societal expectations and stereotypes.
According to Lee, the exhibition theme reflects on evolving societal standards. From childhood, individuals confront notions like girls being "too noisy" or boys not being "strong enough," evolving into judgments of being "too fat" or "too thin," or "too old" or "too young." "Too Muchness" boldly celebrates individuality and resilience, encouraging viewers to confront the dichotomy of feeling overwhelmed and empowered by cultural norms.
Lee, who joined the Penn State School of Visual Arts/College of Arts and Architecture faculty in fall 2023, was born and raised in Seoul. She earned her bachelor of fine arts with a concentration in painting and printmaking at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her master of fine arts at the University of Pennsylvania. Her artwork has also been featured in exhibitions in Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.