[1 July, 2010, Hong Kong] - Walking through an exhibition of Carol Lee Mei Kuen is like walking into a realm of imagination. With a combination of shape, juxtaposition, colour, rhythm, density and intensity, Lee succeeds in creating strong visual sensations and symbols of universal appeal.
Carol Lee Mei Kuen is a Hong Kong born artist and one of the most prominent contemporary artists in the city’s art scene. 10 Chancery Lane Gallery is proud to present her latest works on paper in an exclusive exhibition entitled Intimacy.
Chinese Art Critic Carolyn Cartier describes Lee’s work as challenging ”the relationship between artist, art and viewer.” With meticulous attention the artist explores topics such as childhood memories and personal intimacy relationships. She investigates the philosophy of life and the flow of time, expressing her emotions and attachments with the surroundings by playing with light, shadows, found objects and space. In her own words: “Domestic life may be full of trivial details but it is so real. Paths of family members cross with one another without a specific order. I explore and seek in the multiple layers of relationships. As images develop slowly on paper, the works turn the memories and experience into something tangible, allowing them to be recorded and preserved. This is a special relationship between time and space, in which time is transformed into a physical space.
The Statement
Time passes, and life goes away. Light moves along with time, tracing its own tracks and collecting memories of days and nights. I preserve moments from the flowing river of time. The completion of a work means the beginning of its own journey. As for me, its creator, I will keep making my works until my life fades into the uncertain eternity.
Time Painting: A specific technique to convey the artist’s sensibility
Lee uses a technique called “time painting’, which was originated from the principles of photograms. She places objects onto newsprint papers under the sun, intending to use the portrayal of light to record the passing of time. Newsprint yellows on the surface as time goes by. Patterns of shading and fading are therefore transferred through the objects and ‘projected’ onto the paper. This process produces an astonishing aesthetic effect, creating images described as ‘minimalist, elegant, serious and reflecting’.
As Carolyn Cartier, an art critic from China commented, ‘this art between people is a gift of mediation between attentive subjects.”
"Threads of Luminosity": The Book
On the occasion of this exclusive exhibition, Carol Lee Mei Kuen will launch her newbook: “Threads of Luminosity” is published by MCCM Creations. This book covers various series of works on paper documenting Lee’s capture of time from 2005 until today, with texts contributed by Carolyn Cartier, Pamela Kember and Frank Vigneron.
Available at 10 Chancery Lane Gallery. Contact 28100065 for details.
About Carol Lee Mei Kuen
Carol Lee Mei Kuen is a Hong Kong born artist and one of the most prominent contemporary artists in the city’s art scene. She has been exhibited in the Hong Kong Museum of Art for the HK Biennial and the Macau Museum, thrice selected for the Corning Museum Glass Review (2005, 2006 and 2009) and recipient of several art awards, including the Outstanding MFA Achievement Award from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). She has been an active leader on the Hong Kong artist’s front founding and organizing “Too Art” at the Hong Kong Arts Centre, creating MIA (Mere Independent Artists), acting as Vice Convener of “Art Container Project” as well as being a leader in several other artist-led projects throughout the city.
The exhibition runs from Sep 9 until Oct 2, 2010.
