Painter: Timothy Hon Hung Lee
Ninja March 16th, 2009
Last week, I received a friendly email from the UK artist, Timothy Hon Hung Lee, kindly requesting that I take a look at his artwork.
There is an intriguing sense of still beauty and quiet undertones of violence that run through his work. I was struck by the intense detail and complexity of his linework from the smallest blossom to the thinnest wisps of hair. His paintings are executed in ink on hand made paper and are very reminiscent of traditional Chinese scroll paintings, Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and Kimono patterns. After viewing his work online, I was left with a longing to take in and examine his work in person.
Recently, Timothy has shown in the Delineations exhibit at the Ad Hoc Gallery in New York, was featured in NY Arts Magazine and in Die Gestalten Verlag’s book on contemporary illustration, Illusive 2
Here’s a short documentary on his work:
NvP: When did you develop an interest in art?
Timothy: I don’t recall a specific moment when I realized that this was what I wanted to do in life. I have always mentioned my Uncle (Lee Man Sang) as my biggest influence. I believe that in my early years where I was exposed to his works and paintings, that’s when I took a keen interest. I was never surrounded by art though; my uncles’ practice was almost private, like a hobby. Only once he returned to Hong Kong did he develop his career. My parents were never supportive my creative endeavors and I rarely went to see shows or openings. I just drew and painted for the enjoyment of it and I don’t think I’ve changed all too much from that. I think the lack of a creative upbringing has maybe pushed me to be more creative, to explore art from both the inside and out.
NvP: What’s your favorite subject to paint, and how would you define your style?
Timothy: When I’m drawing I don’t have a particular subject in mind. Obviously its clear in my work that they’re figurative but what I hope to convey is a feeling or an emotion. My work addresses mortality a lot, I don’t feel it is as clear-cut as a singular subject; there’s many sides of a human being. The people act as messengers. I’m not concerned whether my audience understands the work; I’m concerned with whether they feel from them.
NvP: What things inspire and influence you?
Timothy: I always struggle in describing where my inspiration comes from. It’s a balance of seeing things in everyday life that interest you and then thinking about them endlessly until your imagination re-interprets them, like dreaming. You whittle away the needless information until you have a pure image or sentiment.
NvP: How you go about your art-making process?
Timothy: Once I have that idea or feeling, that’s when I begin a drawing. My images are never born of sketches or rough drafts. Just outlined and inked. I find it much more exciting to work in this manner as the work changes with each mark you make. It always comes back to balance and composition; there are times when you have to let the image guide itself and times when you need to exercise restraint.
Thank you for sharing your work, Timothy!
Related links
+ View more of Timothy Hon Hung Lee’s artwork
+ Read Timothy Hon Hung Lee’s blog
Purchasing link
+ Illusive 2: Contemporary Illustration and Its Context
at Penguin’s house.
