Un/Touched Landscapes
Mindy Solomon is pleased to introduce the elegant thoughtful works of Siennie Lee. Inspired by the untouchable grandeur and mystery of the Antarctica, Lee endeavors to convey a sense of atmosphere and wonder in her immersive installation.
“My work reflects my perspective on society as a social organism. As I journeyed through diverse cultural landscapes, I was humbled by the realization that I was only a small speck in the whole and large fabric of society. Observing life outside the café window, away from media’s constant influx of information, I saw the ordinary and quotidian aspects of life, which contrasted with the political and social turbulence I heard about. This experience made me realize how every facet was permeating and subsiding into the greater societal whole. Through this introspective journey, I came to understand the intricate interplay of individual elements merging to shape the broader panorama, prompting a nuanced reassessment of societal dynamics from an organic perspective.
Having these thoughts in mind, my expedition to Antarctica led me to discover parallels with the order and patterns of our society, the circulatory ecosystem, and the effects of human activity reaching the most remote places on Earth. This has influenced my most recent projects from an abstract installation that mirrors the breathtaking and unfamiliar sceneries along with the mesmerizing wildlife, to paintings that highlight the interconnectedness between nature and society. My goal was to capture the contrasting emotions of awe and apprehension, encouraging viewers to ponder upon the dynamic relationship with nature and the concerns of our changing world.
In the unique environment where the sun never sets, the pure natural wonders of Antarctica evoke a profound sense of otherness within me. I yearned to immerse myself in this pristine wilderness, yet simultaneously, I felt a desire to flee its embrace, overwhelmed by my own sense of unfamiliarity. Each iceberg’s infinite passage of time enveloped me, heightening my awareness of all elements – essence, movements, marks, and possibilities. To embody these revelations in the installation, I used a diverse palette to convey myself, body gestures, brushstrokes, and open interpretations – all these compositions onto chiffon in an intuitive manner, visualizing a fragile and sensory experience.”
There is a quietude in these works. The transparent layers of silk hanging like a breeze, drawing you closer to the works within the room, evocative of some surreal frozen landscape. Diaphanous, poetic and challenging each image is a a reflection of a cerebral journey. “On the long swathes of chiffon, various colors of paint were spilled, and black lines were drawn. Are the ten pieces of chiffon drawings the temperature fragments rising from the depths of the frigid sea, or are they merely insignificant snowflakes falling from the blue-gray sky? The drawings encompass what flows between, what disappears and continues, the entirety of that experience. I created the installation to span from floor to ceiling, inviting viewers to wander amidst the space and envelop themselves in the atmosphere reminiscent of my Antarctic encounters. The ongoing alterations within the installation, influenced by the viewers’ movements, will visually underscore the ever-shifting terrains and organic essence of the environment. “
We are excited to showcase this concept of layered space, and look forward to welcoming visitors through Siennie Lee’s first exploration of the gallery.
About Siennie Lee
Born in Seoul, South Korea, Siennie Lee delves into society as an organism through visual languages including painting and installations. Using contemporary photographs, articles and sounds, she prompts contemplation on pertinent social issues that are woven into her work. Her work is aesthetically encoded, inviting viewers to engage with the work on a personal level and decode the intricacies of society that exist within it. She received her MFA from both Alfred University (2022) and Seoul National University (2018), and her BFA from Seoul National University (2014). Lee has had solo exhibitions at Hudson D. Walker Gallery, Provincetown, MA; Ohzemidong Gallery, Seoul, Korea; Gallery Dos, Seoul, Korea; and Gallery Grida, Seoul, Korea.
Her artwork has been featured in group exhibitions across the globe, including Maake Projects, State College, PA; Provincetown Art Association and Museum, Provincetown, MA; Robert C. Turner Gallery, Alfred, NY; 8BRÜT, Düsseldorf, Germany; Alte Fabrik Oberbilk, Düsseldorf, Germany; Alfred Str. 25, Essen, Germany; Yeonmisan Nature Art Park, Gongju, Korea; HOMA Hongik Museum Art, Seoul, Korea; MoA, Seoul, Korea; SPEEDOM GALLERY, Gwangmyeong, Korea; and Gallery Imazoo, Seoul, Korea. She was awarded a 2022-2023 Visual Arts Fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown, MA, and has been an artist-in-residence at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, Upperville, VA; Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT. Her work was recently selected and acquired by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Seoul, Korea.
Siennie Lee has also worked as a freelance travel writer for arts and literature, publishing two books in Korea.