It’s Not Just Black and White
Mayfair Gallery Darwin
Wild duck in a whirlwind Thunder, lightning and rain Bat on a branch
Drypoint Drypoint and chine colle Drypoint
20cmx25cm 20cmx25cm 20cmx25cm
For Lee, language plays an important role in the construction of cultural identity. Through her art work, Lee investigates multiple identity constructions of Australians with Chinese heritage, in particular, those born in Australia. Cultural and environmental influences are important influencing factors in her studio practice.
This series of drypoint prints was influenced by a journey to Yunnan province in China. In particular, walls in the village of Shuhe near Lijiang displayed brightly coloured pictographs of the Dongba language. The Dongba language is the only living pictograph language still in use. “’Dongba’ means ‘smart man’ who’s capable of singing, dancing, scripture, writing, history, painting and medication”.[1] The hieroglyphs chosen for these works resonate with the local Territory lifestyle.
Lee continually explores new variations to traditional printmaking methods. Her fascination with silk paper-making has been incorporated into some of these drypoints. As each silk paper piece is individually constructed to give a free-form edge rather than a cut edge, each piece is unique.
[1] United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, (2013). The Hieroglyph Alive, Lijiang.