Cover Jaee Tee’s brand of art often depicts the beauty of our world through textural brushstrokes and mark-making
Jaee Tee’s brand of art often depicts the beauty of our world through textural brushstrokes and mark-making
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Rooted in the philosophy of harmony and balance, Jaee Tee invites viewers to delve into the layers of meaning within her art
Works of art can evoke curiosity and imagination in a viewer, inviting them to interpret the story behind the piece and uncover its deeper meaning. This is true for contemporary artist Jaee Tee, who shares, “I vividly remember the first time I encountered one of Anselm Kiefer’s massive pieces in the collection of Dato’ Azman, a prominent art collector in Asia—I was brought to tears. It was a powerful reminder of how art can stir up such intense emotions.”
In her artistic journey, Jaee Tee draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists from both the east and west, such as renowned figures like Zhang Da Qian and Liu Kuo Song for their ability to breathe new life into traditional Chinese art, as well as Zao Wou-Ki, who’s a master at blending eastern and western influences. She says, “What I truly admire about his work is how it seems to capture the very spirit of motion and energy. It’s as if his brushstrokes breathe life into the canvas,” she says.
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Above Jaee Tee draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists from both the east and west
Jaee Tee draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists from both the east and west
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As for the aforementioned Kiefer, a German painter and sculptor, Tee finds the sheer scale and complexity of his works “mind-blowing.” She adds, “What truly resonates with me is how he manages to convey such deep, layered emotions through his art.”
What she mentioned above can also be said of Tee’s particular brand of art, which often depicts the beauty of our world through textural brushstrokes and mark-making. Employing the traditional Chinese painting concept of “Xie Yi” that emphasises expressive, spontaneous brushwork, as well as the skilful use of negative space which allows for a sense of balance and harmony to her paintings, she says “this approach allows me to convey emotion and capture the essence of my subjects in a fluid and intuitive manner.”
A reflection of her cultural heritage and personal experiences, plus drawing inspiration from Chinese philosophies, mythology and calligraphy, Tee merges Oriental principles with western techniques and influences, allowing her to break from traditional boundaries and reinvent her own style.
Above Four paintings from Jaee Tee’s latest series, ‘Journey Through Ages: Past, Present Perception’
Four paintings from Jaee Tee’s latest series, ‘Journey Through Ages: Past, Present Perception’
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The emotive quality of her artworks appeal to both local and global audiences and are collected by private and corporate clients. Her artworks have been shown at various venues including the Carrousel Du Louvre in Paris, Fondazione Luciana Matalon in Milan and the National Art Gallery of Maldives. Last year, she also participated in an artistic collaboration with luxury automotive manufacturer McLaren.
Tee previously had a career in the fast-paced world of advertising. While her work with TV commercials took her to various corners of the world, the demanding hours and overnight shoots eventually took a toll on her and galvanised her to make a change as she yearned for “greater freedom and a more purposeful existence.” She began taking oil painting and charcoal classes, initially spurred by wanting to teach art to her two children. This reignited her joy and passion for art, recalling her childhood capers in expressing her creativity. She says, “In my mind, I believed that anything had the potential to be art. Dried leaves and stones became the medium of my imagination, meticulously arranged on the ground to create my own enchanting ‘artworks.’” Then she chuckles, “One memory stands out vividly—I had the audacity to peel off layers of paint from our living room wall to spontaneously craft at abstract mural. My mom was so furious because she needed to get the wall repainted.”
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Above Jaee Tee merges Oriental principles with western techniques and influences, allowing her to break from traditional boundaries and reinvent her own style.
Above Jaee Tee previously had a career in the fast-paced world of advertising.
Jaee Tee merges Oriental principles with western techniques and influences, allowing her to break from traditional boundaries and reinvent her own style.
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Participating in a group exhibition and having all of her art pieces bought by appreciative collectors fuelled her determination to take her art more seriously. She began sharing her creations on social media and eventually, two art galleries from abroad noticed her work and offered her gallery representation. This marked a pivotal moment in her life and she made the decision to become a full-time artist in 2019.
In 2023, she embarked on a deep introspection that led to the creation of the series Journey Through Ages: Past, Present, Perception. It was a reflection of significant personal changes, moments where she pondered on “the purpose of my existence, questioning whether I had lost sight of something profound amid the relentless pace of technology and the never-ending rush of daily life. How could I rediscover peace and reconnect with the core essence of the human-nature relationship?”
The series features abstract depictions of mountains, rivers and clouds that “symbolise the timeless essence of nature and the profound interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world.” Cleverly worked into the paintings are recurring East Asian symbols of the dragon, a guardian of wisdom, and the eagle, a representation of the pursuit of personal freedom and liberation from constraints.
Above Artist Jaee Tee in her element at her studio
Artist Jaee Tee in her element at her studio
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“Ultimately, I hope these artworks inspire viewers to contemplate their innate desire to return to their roots, seek tranquillity in life’s simplicity, and realise that many of the answers we seek are already within us, waiting to be discovered,” says Tee about this series, one of her favourite artworks to date.
Every artist has their own process of expressing their creativity. Tee says she finds cathartic release in painting where she expresses herself in true abandon, shedding the weight of her thoughts, perspective and the emotions tied to them. “In those moments, I’m far removed from everything I’ve ever known—as if I’ve transcended the limits of my own body and entered a realm with absolutely no boundaries.”
Her creative process is multifaceted. Some days will first see her immersed in contemplation and solitude, creating initial sketches using charcoal or Chinese ink, experimenting with different elements and compositions, before executing her vision using those insights gained during her earlier experimentation. Then there are some days where she is struck by inspiration and her creative process follows a more intuitive and spontaneous path, guided by an inner impulse.
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Above Jaee Tee merges Oriental principles with western techniques and influences, allowing her to break from traditional boundaries and reinvent her own style.
Jaee Tee merges Oriental principles with western techniques and influences, allowing her to break from traditional boundaries and reinvent her own style.
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To set the mood and get into her artistic zone, she often turns to music, accompanied by a glass of wine. “The right music can transport me to a realm where creativity flows freely, and the wine helps me be bold and not overthink so I can have more fearless spontaneity.”
This year we can expect exciting new projects from Tee. She’s preparing for a solo exhibition to showcase her Journey Through Ages: Past, Present, Perception series, which is in the final stages of completion. At the same time, she’s embarking on her second series of zodiac-inspired artworks, building upon her previous exploration of ancient symbolism but this time using colour to capture the essence of the zodiac in a fresh and captivating way. Also in the pipeline is an upcoming corporate collaboration where her artworks will be featured on their packaging, with the official unveiling set for mid-2024.
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Photography: Memories.my
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Elizabeth Soong is the managing editor of Malaysia Tatler. She loves a good laugh, but is serious when it comes to work, and gets a high from dancing, cats purring, plus enjoys musicals or binge-watching a good TV series. Continually inspired by the people she meets, edits and writes about, you're welcome to see what she's up to on her Instagram @lizsoong.
