J. Jie Li

Hometown: New York

Based in: New York

J. Jie Li is a New York-based contemporary artist whose work explores the depths of human nature, inner reflection, and the transient forces shaping existence. Known for her evocative visual language, she weaves philosophical inquiry into layered watercolor and mixed-media compositions that bridge abstraction and symbolism.

After earning her BFA from Parsons School of Design, J. Jie Li transitioned from a successful career in fashion to fully pursue fine art. She pushes the boundaries of watercolor, transforming the medium beyond its traditional transparency into richly textured, dimensional works. Her paintings often incorporate Chinese calligraphy and mixed media, creating a poetic tension between chaos and serenity, destruction and renewal.

J. Jie Li’s work has been exhibited internationally in prestigious venues, including the Royal Academy of Arts and Mall Galleries in London; the Alexandria Museum of Art, Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, and Springfield Art Museum in the United States; and La Asunción Cultural Center and Muestra de Arte Contemporáneo in Spain. She has earned top honors in juried exhibitions—most recently in Watercolor USA and Watercolor Artist Magazine’s Best Paintings 2024—and her paintings are held in private and public collections worldwide, including the Consulate General of Japan and the Albacete Provincial Council of Spain.

Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer, Zen, and Daoism, her work contemplates desire, suffering, and transcendence. Each painting becomes a quiet meditation on existence—inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and embark on their own journey inward, toward meaning beyond appearances.

At the heart of J. Jie Li’s artistic practice is a profound dialogue between humanity and nature, the conscious and subconscious, fragility and resilience.

Curriculum Vitae

J. Jie Li
Contemporary Artist | New York, USA

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Parsons School of Design, New York, USA

Professional Memberships
• Signature Member and Board Member, Watercolor USA Honor Society (WHS)
• Signature Member, American Artists Professional League (AAPL)

Awards and Honors (Selected)

2025 — Featured Artist, The Best Paintings 2024, Watercolor Artist Magazine, USA
2024 — Kenneth M. Shuck Memorial $3,000 Cash Award, Watercolor USA 2024, Springfield Art Museum, USA
2024 — Featured Artist, Saatchi Art Collection
2023 — Named Top 10 New York Artists to Discover, Artling, Singapore
2023 — First Place, Water Media, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, USA
2023 — Greg G. Thielen Memorial $2,000 Museum Award, Watercolor USA 2023, Springfield Art Museum, USA
2022 — Named Top 22 Artists to Watch, Singulart, Paris, France
2022 — Winner, ARTBOXY Artist Sponsorship, Thomson Art Prize, Switzerland
2021 — Best in Show, Adrift National Juried Exhibition, New York, USA
2021 — Third Prize, Cityscapes, Salmagundi Club, New York, USA
2020 — Winner, Uig Open Public Choice Award, Isle of Lewis, United Kingdom
2018 — HSBC Cares Nominee, New York, USA
2017 — Finalist, Olympia International Open Art Competition, Tokyo, Japan

Solo Exhibitions (Selected)

2025 — Echoes of Existence: Between Desire, Suffering, and Reflection, Museo de la Semana Santa de Hellín, Spain
2024 — The Appearance, La Casa Negra & Bienal Internacional de Caudete, Spain
2024 — Behind the Appearance, La Asunción Cultural Center, Albacete, Spain
2023 — Behind the Appearance, Asociación de Artistas Cadmio & Casa de Cultura de Caudete, Spain
2022 — Behind the Appearance, Centro Cultural Gómez-Tortosa, Spain
2020 — Ignited (Two-Artist Exhibition), Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Florida, USA

Group Exhibitions (Selected)

2025 — Art Expo New York, USA
2024 — Watercolor Now!, Downing Museum, USA
2024 — Shortlisted, RA Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
2024 — Metro Montage XXIV, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, USA
2024 — Watercolor USA 2024, Springfield Art Museum, USA
2024 — Exhibitions in Athens, Berlin, Dubai, and the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild, USA
2023 — Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Nicolaysen Art Museum, USA / Luz y Sombras, Spain
2023 — Watercolor USA 2023, Springfield Art Museum, USA
2022 — RA Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
2022 — Swiss Art Expo, Zürich, Switzerland / Biennale Artbox Expo, Venice, Italy
2021 — Watercolor USA, Springfield Art Museum, USA / Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, USA
2019 — New English Art Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London, UK
2019 — Shortlisted, RA Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK

Residencies and Master Classes

2024 — Invited Master Class, Bienal Internacional de Caudete, Spain
2024 — Live Watercolor Demonstration, La Asunción Cultural Center, Albacete, Spain
2019 — Master Class Guest Artist, V International Biennale, Spain
2019 — Sunny Art Prize Shanghai Exhibition & Residency, China

Collections (Selected)
• Consulate General of Japan, New York
• Albacete Provincial Council, Spain
• Private and public collections in China, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Artwork

The Appearance V