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Exploring Human Instincts by Visualizing Unconscious Desires in Contemporary Art
Jueun Lee’s work focuses on visualizing unconscious desires in contemporary art by delving into the primal instincts and hidden emotions that shape human life. Her paintings explore the tension between suppressed emotions and the overstimulation of modern society. Jueun’s art transforms these intangible experiences into visual narratives, offering viewers a glimpse into the inner workings of the human mind.
Far from being just visually appealing, her art carries philosophical undertones. By highlighting the struggles and beauty of navigating a world full of external stimuli, her works invite introspection and a deeper understanding of the emotions we often overlook.
Visualizing Unconscious Desires in Contemporary Art: A Fresh Perspective
Jueun Lee’s approach to visualizing unconscious desires in contemporary art offers a fresh perspective on the interplay between human emotions and instincts. She views primal desires as integral to our humanity, not as something to be repressed.
Modern life bombards us with endless stimuli—technology, media, and consumption—which often destabilize our emotional equilibrium. Jueun’s art captures how this overstimulation impacts human behavior, highlighting the delicate balance between controlling and succumbing to our instincts.
Her paintings encourage reflection on how our desires shape the way we interact with the world. Through this unique perspective, her works stand out as a deep and empathetic exploration of the human condition. Let’s explore her signature series that bring this theme to life.

Acrylic on canvas (2024)
50 X 72.7 X 2 cm
Visualizing Unconscious Desires in Contemporary Art: Desire – The Reptilian Brain
Desire – The Reptilian Brain is a series that dives into the primal aspects of human nature, particularly how modern society amplifies unconscious desires. From caffeine to video games and social media, Jueun Lee depicts how overstimulation strips away reason and emotional depth, leaving us to operate purely on instinct.
Inspired by neuroscientist Paul MacLean’s “Triune Brain” theory, Jueun visualizes how the neocortex (reason), limbic system (emotion), and reptilian brain (survival instincts) are disrupted by overexposure to stimuli. Her paintings depict characters who have lost control, swaying between fleeting joy and overwhelming emptiness.
Jueun’s work in this series highlights the darker side of overstimulation, yet it refrains from judgment. Instead, she offers an empathetic lens, saying, “These figures represent me as much as anyone else. I hope people view them with understanding, not criticism.”
By visualizing unconscious desires in contemporary art, Desire – The Reptilian Brain sheds light on addiction, primal instincts, and the struggles of navigating modern life.
Art That Faces Anxiety: Anxiety Ball
Jueun Lee’s Anxiety Ball series expands her exploration of unconscious desires in contemporary art, focusing on how societal pressures create overwhelming feelings of self-doubt. Jueun uses the metaphor of a beach ball floating in water to represent anxiety—it cannot be suppressed for long, as it will inevitably resurface.
Her art conveys the duality of anxiety: it’s both an uncontrollable force and something manageable with perspective. By stepping back to view the ball from a distance, it becomes a small, insignificant object floating on a vast ocean.
Through this series, Jueun demonstrates that anxiety is not something to fight against but rather to understand and accept. This empathetic view creates space for reflection and emotional healing.

Watercolor on paper (2020)
13 X 9 cm
Rediscovering the Self: Self-Discovery Project
The Self-Discovery Project is another step in Jueun Lee’s journey of visualizing unconscious desires in contemporary art. This deeply personal series stems from her own experiences of feeling lost and disconnected in her twenties. Jueun’s works ask, “What happens when we feel like we’ve lost ourselves?”
Her paintings in this series depict the challenges of maintaining identity amidst external pressures and distractions. Using soft, meditative tones, the works guide viewers through a narrative of vulnerability, resilience, and self-reclamation.
This series speaks universally to anyone who has felt adrift, offering a gentle reminder that rediscovering the self is a journey worth embracing.

Acrylic on canvas (2024)
53 X 45.5 X 2 cm
Art as a Medium for Empathy and Healing
Jueun Lee’s art is a testament to the power of empathy and self-reflection. Her works go beyond mere aesthetics, inviting us to embrace the complexities of our emotions and instincts.
“The figures in my paintings are representations of myself. They may seem clumsy or overwhelmed, but these are emotions we all share. My goal is to create empathy, not critique,” she shares.
By addressing universal themes of desire, anxiety, and self-discovery, Jueun’s art creates a safe space for introspection and healing. Her work reminds us that it’s okay to feel, question, and explore the depths of our inner selves.
🧐 Want to see more of Jueun Lee’s work and process?
Check out her Instagram for behind-the-scenes glimpses and heartfelt stories:
📲 Jueun Lee’s Instagram
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