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South Korean artist Me Kyeoung Lee sees beauty even in mundane everyday objects. Her sketches of local convenience stores are a charming and skillful take on what other people might miss out.
Lee has been documenting these little corner shops for the past 20 years. “There were not many things to see and play like these days,” says the artist about her youth. “But there was a time when I was happy to have a coin in my hands and run to a shop and hang out with friends gathered in front of it.”
The artist usually picks a muted, pastel color palette for her acrylic ink sketches. She draws attention to the welcoming facades, stacked shelves, and friendly gardens outside. Each scene has its own unique features and no two look alike.
For an outsider, such importance of convenience stores may seem odd, but considering their striking abundance in South Korea (33,000 exist today), it’s natural that locals view them not as buildings, but more like an integral part of culture.
More info: leemk.com (h/t: demilked)
This post may include affiliate links.
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Alexis Alexandra 8 years ago
Such a lovely composition...I love the detail and overall beauty of these wonderful paintings!
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김신애 8 years ago
North Korea prohibits the opening of private markets& business. Goods from clothes to food are handed out in a public distribution system.
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Alexis Alexandra 8 years ago
Really feels like springtime looking at this lovely painting...she captured a sweet feeling with those trees and the light.
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Lorna Burns-Bridges 8 years ago
I noticed a lot of trees in Korea every picture she paints does the truth I love trees they're my favorite plants
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Becca Britton 8 years ago
Wow, she should put a book together.. all the art, and little stories to get with each one.. I'd buy it. Lovely work.
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What do you think ?
Ethan Frome 8 years ago
There's a beautiful clarity in the artist's sketches. It's easy to overlook how such places act as connecting points in a community. It's a pleasure to be reminded of this, and to reflect on my own experiences with corner stores growing up. Thank you for sharing.
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
Her works are really astonishing. I always like artists who portray the everyday parts of the worlds and see its beauty
Daria B 8 years ago
High five for the halves! (I'm not half Korean, though, both my ethnic halves are European, but I live here in Korea for so long, it's part of me+my husband is a local Korean ♥).
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Catherine Vinson 8 years ago
I feel like I am back in Asia, wandering the streets, smelling sweet snacks and I pass by these places. It made me reminisce so strongly. I looked into more artwork, of simple rice bowls being kept warm. It's all fantastic.
Daria B 8 years ago
Where in Asia have you been, if I may know? Just curious. Because here in Korea, the first smell I felt was cars... u_u But by now I've smelt good smells too, of sea, flowers, snacks (as you say), and so on. But also still the stink of pollution every now and then, sadly. Additonally, the elevator in the building where I work usually smells of Jampong.
Load More Replies...
Ethan Frome 8 years ago
There's a beautiful clarity in the artist's sketches. It's easy to overlook how such places act as connecting points in a community. It's a pleasure to be reminded of this, and to reflect on my own experiences with corner stores growing up. Thank you for sharing.
Michel M. Prins 8 years ago
Her works are really astonishing. I always like artists who portray the everyday parts of the worlds and see its beauty
Daria B 8 years ago
High five for the halves! (I'm not half Korean, though, both my ethnic halves are European, but I live here in Korea for so long, it's part of me+my husband is a local Korean ♥).
Load More Replies... Catherine Vinson 8 years ago
I feel like I am back in Asia, wandering the streets, smelling sweet snacks and I pass by these places. It made me reminisce so strongly. I looked into more artwork, of simple rice bowls being kept warm. It's all fantastic.
Daria B 8 years ago
Where in Asia have you been, if I may know? Just curious. Because here in Korea, the first smell I felt was cars... u_u But by now I've smelt good smells too, of sea, flowers, snacks (as you say), and so on. But also still the stink of pollution every now and then, sadly. Additonally, the elevator in the building where I work usually smells of Jampong.
Load More Replies... 
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