Cover Digital Vertigo by Lester Lee, a mixed-media work that won the Gold award for the Established Artist category as part of the 2013 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore) accolade. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
Digital Vertigo by Lester Lee, a mixed-media work that won the Gold award for the Established Artist category as part of the 2013 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore) accolade. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
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Award-winning Singaporean artist Lester Lee explores the essence of daily life and the impact of technology on our existence while intuitively weaving concepts of Eastern philosophy into his art
A luminous presence in the art world, it is no wonder that the Singaporean artist Lester Lee is a three-time award winner of the prestigious UOB Painting of the Year competition. With a unique artistic process and a profound Eastern philosophical influence, Lee’s work is an exploration of the everyday human experience, represented on canvas in a fragmented yet cohesive manner. Known for his intuitive, spontaneous approach he embraces the unknown. Eschewing preliminary sketches he prefers to let each idea evolve in his mind, instead progressively developing his art as he goes along. In line with his Eastern influences, particularly Zen Buddhism, Lee’s art reflects the essence of daily life, filtered and recomposed in a manner that captures the subtle nuances of existence, inviting viewers to contemplate their own place in the world.
Lee is represented by Gallery 1819 in Singapore, and he has also held a solo exhibition at the UOB Art Gallery. Gallery1819 is also thrilled to be soon presenting Lee’s upcoming solo show, ‘Randomness’, at its gallery venue in Midview City from 5 to 31 October; guests will get to meet and greet the artist in person on 7 October from 3pm to 5pm.
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Above Singaporean artist Lester Lee. Portrait photography: Courtesy of UOB
Singaporean artist Lester Lee. Portrait photography: Courtesy of UOB
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His artistic mastery was first recognised in 2013 when he won the 2013 UOB Painting of the Year award where he introduced a grey-dominant scheme with contrasting hues in his painting Digital Vertigo, marking a significant shift in his artistic identity.
In 2021, he received the Gold Award in the Established Artist Category at the UOB competition for Childhood, where he continued to explore new horizons by incorporating a new medium, soluble graphite and a “glitch” element. The latter was a response to the ever-growing digitalisation and the pervasive influence of technology on daily life.
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Above Childhood, a work by Lester Lee, which won the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore) in the Established Artist category. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
Childhood, a work by Lester Lee, which won the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore) in the Established Artist category. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
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The following year, he snagged the top position at the 2022 UOB Painting of the Year for the same Established Artist category by taking his artistic journey to the next level. This time, he challenged himself to paint without preconceived ideas or concepts, relying on mindfulness to capture and compose images on canvas. The “glitch” element from his previous work gained prominence in this piece, intertwining with blocks of colours and images.
Together, Lee’s award-winning works serve as contemplations of the evolving technological landscape and its impact on our lives, particularly among the younger generation. Through his art, he urges the viewer to pause, create space for clarity of mind and consider the well-being of our souls amid the digital chaos. And he is not done. As his art continues to evolve, his deep-rooted commitment to exploring the intersections of tradition, modernity and the human experience offers a reflection of the multifaceted nature of life, inviting us all to embark on a voyage of self-discovery.
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Above A Painting About Nothing and Everything, which won the 2022 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore), in the Established Artist category. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
A Painting About Nothing and Everything, which won the 2022 UOB Painting of the Year (Singapore), in the Established Artist category. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
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Tell me more about yourself. How did you get into art?
I am a contemporary artist working in paintings, sculptures, installations, performance and more and I am currently focusing on paintings. Ever since I was a child, I had a great passion for art and began learning watercolour painting with two established local watercolourists. I got my first accolade, the Outstanding Award, in the Ministry of Communication and Information Art Competition held at the National Museum Art Gallery in 1989.
As an aspiring young artist then, winning the award was an acknowledgement and justification for the hard work and also the self doubt that went into creating the work. Also, an award brings credibility and makes me feel that my work is valued. It really boosted my confidence, motivated and inspired me to pursue my passion for art.
Above Digital Vertigo by Lester Lee. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
Digital Vertigo by Lester Lee. Image: Lester Lee / Courtesy of Gallery 1819
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Does your previous educational background and career in finance have any influence on your work?
No, not at all, one is more for the economic stability for my family and the other for self-actualisation and is my passion.
How would you describe your artistic philosophy?
I am very much influenced by eastern philosophy such as Zen Buddhism. My works predominantly are reflections of our everyday life situations, the environment and happenings around me. They are observed, filtered and recomposed in a fragmented yet cohesive manner on canvas. I work intuitively and spontaneously, in between representation and abstraction.
Could you describe your artistic process?
My approach is very intuitive and spontaneous. Each series of images is unique and I have no established process. I do not do preliminary sketches as every idea is worked out in my mind. I search for images around me and on the internet and work progressively as I go along; I let the painting tell me when to stop!
Above 48 Personas by Lester Lee offers a meditation on the relationship of individuals to the larger society
48 Personas by Lester Lee offers a meditation on the relationship of individuals to the larger society
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What keeps you inspired?
My passion keeps me inspired!
What are some of your favourite series made to date and why?
These would be my earlier sculptures, installations and performance works done in the US as they received a positive response from a wide audience. For example, my sculptural installation 48 Personas explores the relationship of oneself to the society at large, presenting my experience what is going on around me and of everyday interactions with people.
Please tell us more about the projects you are currently working on?
I am currently working on a new series of paintings for next year. I will be continuing my contemplations on the influence of technology on our life in general, depicting the interference of technology in our daily life. My works are always hovering between figurative and non-figurative or abstract and I work in an impromptu manner. As the world is saturated with technological interference, I would like to explore more abstract elements and distortion of images in my paintings to bridge space and time, as an evolution of my artistic philosophy. I will continue to research and experiment to find the identity of my paintings.
Find out more about Lester Lee at Gallery 1819, #01-10 Midview City Gallery, 18 Sin Ming Lane, Tel: 6969 0146
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