A: Is for the Asian artistry

Last week at Heidi Cho's along side Michael Souter a young Asian artist named Joyce Y Lee evoked natural imagery within her abstract compositions. The mental landscapes that house the tension between Nature and a manufactured Culture are themes here. Chaos comes out of control, while inner turmoil verses outward poise. She investigates graphic "color forms" and fictitious beings that inhabit a flattened visual plane of the surreal. Unpredictable Eden's and apocalypses are in the foreground. Her newest paintings push the translucent color forms obscuring them from their environments. The feeling is at 1st sight jarring and at the same time uniquely harmonious. Emotions mirroring the uncanny violent but beautiful intrusions into human life reflect spiritual displacement. The result is a cosmic and intimate view into her soul. You can catch Joyce's solo exhibition “Microkosmos | Macrokosmos” on view at the Grace Institute (1233 Second Avenue, NYC) through July 27th and at Heidi Cho's 522 West 23rd until August 18th. This talented young artist is also exhibited in group shows at Sikkema Jenkins, Art Gotham, Cooper Union Great Hall, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Phyllis Harriman Mason and Tower 49 galleries here in NYC. This is one artist who knows how to get her work out there and be seen. A 2006-2007 Henri Matisse Merit Scholarship recipient, and a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Joyce has 3 degrees, Communications, Psychology and Fine Art. Growing up in Texas (OK the girl had to have some flaws) she was born to first-generation Chinese immigrants that had an unconventional bent towards the arts. Besides being highly talented she works for a non non-profit organization, International Arts Movement (www.iamny.org), which fosters dialogue between the arts and faith. Her work is a remnant of her emotions and I for one was drawn in and that is a F.A.C.T.