28 February - 25 April 2015
This series is the continuation of her research-based art practice, exploring the theme of ‘pressure’ during a year of research. The artist was profoundly impacted by her readings about individuals suffering from varying degrees of pressure, ranging from physical anomalies to depression or mental disorders. These readings inspired her to create this collection of over ninety artworks.
For Claire Lee, where pressure manifests, life exhibits a profound survival desire and energy, which she has represented in simply composed yet intense artworks. These artworks express the inherent tension between harmony and violence, a characteristic of all human, animal, and natural forms. The exhibition invites viewers to discover in seemingly insignificant forms the most powerful manifestations of beauty.
With ‘Under Pressure’, Claire Lee does not intend to shock, opting instead to subtly draw the viewer’s attention to uneasy topics, fostering reflection. In the photographs, the artist stages her own body or oversized objects she previously squeezed, tied, or sliced. These objects contrast with the drawings, which often feature large blank areas, serving as an emptiness for the viewer’s own perception and emotions.
“I vividly recall visits to the Space Museum during my childhood. I found solace in lying down in darkness, feeling the pressure exerted by the planets orbiting one another. This ‘planetary pressure’ appeared as a colossal white sphere dominating the sky. Despite its suffocating nature, I am inexplicably captivated by it.”
Many autistic children seek pressure as a means of coping with the challenges of living in the world. They seek out the smallest spaces to squeeze themselves into, seeking to calm their bodies and relax their heightened senses. Additionally, the grotesque and neurotic gestures exhibited during epileptic seizures reminded her of organic forms inherent in our nature. There is a profoundly moving energy reflected from these uncomfortable shapes formed by the intense muscles.
Animals and nature exhibit both violence and harmony, as well as beauty and horror. In Claire’s ink drawings, the deformed forms and postures of plants, fruits, and vegetables illustrate the fragility and strength of life’s ability to endure. Pain is immense and its pressure can manifest in a weightless yet delicate form. The most seemingly insignificant forms can be the most powerful manifestations of beauty itself.
Inspired by the human body enduring various forms of pressure, “Under Pressure” explores the beauty of body forms and spirituality. In areas where pressure is exerted, life demonstrates a profound survival instinct and energy.
Over 90 pieces of ink and pencil drawings, photographs and new collection of poetry in English titled FIST.
Exhibition presented by Mur Nomade Gallery. Same collection was later presented at ART CENTRAL, an art fair held in Hong Kong.
Installation
Seizure
In the photographs my hands imitate the conditions in seizure. The bones and joints are in great stress. The intense poses give a neurotic feel and also almost resembling to organic forms. It reminds of nature of how trees and plants grow.
Print on archival paper, 48.4 x 122 cm, Edition of 6 and 1 AP
Under Pressure - solo exhibition
Mur Nomade, Hong Kong, 2015
The Inner Scream I
Print on archival paper
H 145.2 x W 74 cm
Edition of 6 + 1 AP
When the Language Fails to Express the Meaning I, II, III
Installation
Small Drawings Composition
Form of Pressure
Photographs on artist made objects
They are made of clay and old strings. Skin textures marked on the clay when I squeezed and pressed with force. The organic forms resemble to our flesh and nature elements.
Print on archival paper
Bondage
Experiment of tying a pillow in frog-tie bondage symbolises woman in a passive position where they are vulnerable.
Print on archival paper
Animality
Ink and pencil on paper
This Violence is Calm III
Ink and pencil on paper
This Violence is Calm II
Ink on paper
This Violence is Calm I
Ink on paper
Study of Body in Pain
Ink, charcoal and lead on paper
Rapid Eye Movement
A nightmare of an attack of a gigantic insect. A dream occurring during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that results in feelings of strong terror, fear, distress or extreme anxiety.
Ink, acrylic and gauze on paper
I Can't Stand Cotton Balls
Some people have a fear of pulling cotton balls apart or seeing them or hearing the pulled apart it gives them goose bumps like a nail against a chalk board. The face represents appeal of illness and the fragility of our physical being.
Ink and watercolor on paper
Body Under Pressure
Ink and pencil on paper
Empty Bed
The beds are empty due to children died under suspicious circumstances.
Quotes from a staff who witnessed the abuse of children in a mental institution.
Left: “She wanted to get out of it. She has, you know, struggling and she slided down on the floor, you know, so she started crying…”
Right: “She was tied up on the bed. She was crying for help, for help. They didn’t do nothing.”
Mixed media on paper
If Vegetable Could Feel I, II, III
Color pencil and watercolor on paper
Thin Line Between Beauty and Horror I, II, III
Ink on paper
White Sphere
Mixed media on canvas
Solo exhibition at Art Central
To create a corner of silence and intensity within the bustling environment of the fair, Art Central, works from series Under Pressure conceived a singular display of the ink drawings and photographs presented by Mur Nomade. On the table at the centre of the booth, objects created by me and French artist Régis Gonzalez are placed, narrating the two-year mail correspondence.
The Missing Face
Work as part of the correspondence
Ink on canvas
FIST - Poetry Book Launch for Hong Kong Book Fair
Poetry Reading & Launch of FIST at Mur Nomade for Hong Kong Book Fair, 2014
"Cultural July” is a wide array of seminars and activities held throughout Hong Kong during HK Book Fair. FIST is composed of a series of poetry, drawings and photographs which expresses feelings about today’s society. This new poetry collection is a monologue responding to art project UNDER PRESSURE.
