Sarah Lee’s (b. 1990) practice is largely influenced by the complexity of the human psyche, and key concepts such as liberty, power relations, and solitude. The philosophical musings of thinkers like Michel Foucault, particularly his notion of Episteme, inform the artist’s exploration of the authenticity of individual freedom.
In her first solo exhibition in Singapore, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, continues her exploration of freedom and societal constructs, combining influences from master paintings and modern film with philosophical ideas from literature and research. The approach involves interpreting these sources, linking narratives, and finding connections between elements from different periods and mediums.
Classical literature and philosophy were the reference point, drawing from texts like Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" and "Macbeth", Hobbes' "Leviathan", Russian novelist Dostoevsky's "Notes from Underground" and "Crime and Punishment", Sophocles' "Antigone", and Machiavelli's "The Prince". The narratives, struggles, and contemplations in these works have been instrumental in shaping the thematic landscape of the series. In these recent works, she has transitioned to using scenes from films or movies as an additional layer of visual reference. This new approach not only enriches the creative process but also adds complexity and abstraction to my paintings. With the incorporation of the cinematic elements, there is an expansion of ideas and narratives found in classical and philosophical works, thus inviting viewers to engage with these concepts in a more relatable and contemporary context.
The characteristics of the Baroque period, with its intricate complexity and raw emotional power, seemed fitting to visually represent Foucault's Episteme. Lee doesn't aim to reproduce these Baroque masterpieces verbatim. Instead, reinterprets them, deconstruct their essence such as the use of vibrant and dynamic colour intense contrasts of light and dark, weaving them into a contemporary narrative . This way, a layered, abstract visual language is created to serve as a bridge between past and present, reflecting the timeless themes of power dynamics, social constructs, and the struggle for freedom.
The central theme of the current exhibition is an investigation of the quest for autonomy, authority relationships, and isolation within societal norms, encapsulated through the medium of painting.
The idea of ‘effortless action’ or ‘Wu Wei’ from Taoism, a philosophy that deeply influences her work. Lee employs techniques of intuitivity and spontaneity through colour application, and immediacy and rawness in the lack of blending in her brushstrokes. The rich hues reflect the vibrancy and unpredictability of the modern world. The dialogue between these vibrant contemporary colours and the weighty, serious concepts behind the paintings creates a fascinating tension. This juxtaposition and the oxymoron reflects the series' broader themes of duality and balance, inviting viewers to delve beneath the surface and engage with the underlying complexities.
The balance of control and surrender in the process of inflicting a brushstroke further emphasises the struggle between societal norms and personal desires, logic and intuition. The use of transparency is crucial to creating a sense of visual and conceptual depth in the work. Each layer of paint, each visible or partially obscured brushstroke, contributes to a narrative that extends beyond the surface of the canvas.
This technique becomes a metaphor for the complexities and layers of the human condition, fabrication, and the themes of sovereignties, obedience, and disobedience that the artist interrogates. Elements create an intriguing juxtaposition when viewed in the context of the profound philosophical and societal issues the paintings grapple with. This approach serves to challenge traditional representations and infuses the work with a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability, reflecting life's inherent uncertainties.
The title of this series Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, is a phrase borrowed from Shakespeare's "Macbeth". This phrase speaks to the relentless march of time and the enduring nature of human struggle.
Woven together in this series are the narratives that grapple with timeless questions of power, identity, and societal constructs. Just as the characters in these narratives confront their realities, so too do we continually face our "tomorrows", shaped by the complex interplay of societal forces and individual actions.
Moreover, the repetition of "Tomorrow" in the title echoes the recurring cycles and patterns in history and human behaviour. It also alludes to the idea of hope and resilience - the notion that despite the struggles we face today, there is always a "tomorrow" to strive for.
