by
Overview
2020
Acrylic on wood
Unique Work
Dimensions: 30cm (H) x 45cm (W) / 11.8" (H) x 17.7" (W)
Note: Actual colours may vary due to photography & computer settings.
Artist Statement
THEY USED TO BE MY PLAYGROUND
Justin Lee’s recent works reflect on how text influences and control the users in our daily lifestyle. His works also reflect on words and images from the mass media like signages, billboards and consumer products which control our thoughts and expressions. Drawing from his famous, “The Now Happiness” series works that focused on consumerism on how object influence and control consumer behavior and personality, this sequel “They Used To Be My Playground” storied after Singapore’s independence in the 1960s. This series of works focuses on the structuring of the Singapore modern society, to the 1980s industrialization and housing development in Singapore. Here, Justin’s satire take on the mapping and restructuring of ‘so-called’ Singapore value in both art and culture questioned the very involvement of the government presence in it; with its political irony, sarcasm and ridicule.
Justin cleverly juxtaposed the imageries of the Housing Development Board (HDB) door, map of Singapore and the importance of tree into objects and sculptures that converse the Singapore of today and the very lifestyle of the Singaporean. HDB door, an ever-present iconic symbol of more than seventy per cent of Singaporean residential door, renege to look liked birdcage, questioning the comfort zone most Singaporean are themselves in it. Sculpture in the map of Singapore, represent the popular debates on the emphasizing of the importance of ‘One Singapore, One Nation, One People’ theology to the less autocratic government. In all Justin’s styles, this show is a pure visual journey and experience for the audiences to enjoy, be it a serious look, or humorous take, or maybe meditative thought to bring back.
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Artist Profile
Born: 1963
Hometown: Singapore
Based in: Singapore
Justin Lee was awarded Mont Blanc Young Artist World Patronage Project 2006, Hamburg, German. He was also awarded the Lasalle Scholarship (Master of Fine Art), NAFA Scholarship for his BA degree course in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore in 2005 and the National Art Council, Georgette-Chen Arts Scholarship for his Diploma in Fine Arts from the Lasalle-SIA College of the Arts, Singapore which he completed in 1999. In 2000, he was selected to complete a 6-months intensive training programme at the Tyler Print Workshop in New York, under Mr. Ken Tyler’s supervision. He returns and worked as an apprentice with the Singapore Tyler Institute for two years.
Justin has also participle in several exhibitions in Singapore and his first solo art exhibition “Double Happiness, a Fantasy in Red” (2003) and second solo “Toy Nation” (2003). His 3rd Solo Exhibited at Esplanade Tunnel, and level 3 Community Wall (April/July2005), and also has been invited to participate in the Singapore Art Festival in Japan (24 July 05, Aoyama kottou douri, Tokyo), Gwang Ju National Museum and Okgwa Museum in Korea, “6th Culture and Art Festival of Songzhuang” in Beijing, Bangkok (BACC), Taipei- Taiwan, “CausewayEXchange-2011” in Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia and current works “Art Garden” at Singapore Art Museum-2011 & 2012, Singapore National Museum and “Life after Death” at Asia Civilizations Museum, Singapore (2011) and Japan “Itoshima Arts Farm” (2012). His up current experimental short video work is show casing in Singapore Art Museum, Panorama: Recent Art from Contemporary Asia, starting now till 25 December 2012.
Justin Lee series of works bring a different understanding of today’s Singapore society and lifestyle with a blend of east and west cultures. Justin also seeks to record everyday lifestyle into visual art based on his cultural, and its surrounding by doubting questions appearances. He believes that art play an important part in helping people to grow and to see the important role play and awareness of themselves. His current works reflect on how text influences and controls the users in our daily lifestyle. His works also reflect on words and images from the mass media like signage, billboards and consumer products which control our thoughts and expression.
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