Justin Lee Chee Kong
Singapore, b1963
About the Artist:
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.
Education:
2015 –2016 Master in Fine Art, Lasalle College of the Arts-Singapore/Goldsmiths, University of London
2005 – 2006 Bachelor of Arts, University of Huddersfield, UK. (BA degree in Painting)- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Singapore
2000 – 2002 Internship for Singapore Tyler Print Institute, Singapore-Tyler Graphic Limited – Mt Kisco, New York
1996 – 1999 Diploma in Fine Art, Lasalle-SIA, College of the Arts (Painting)-Singapore (RMIT, Australia)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2012/2014 Part-time lecturer at Lasalle College of the Art, Singapore
2013-2015 Artist Mentorship Scheme-NAC/STAR
2013 External assessor for Lassalle College of the Art BA program
Mar 2014 Artist in residency with Studio Kura, Fukuoka-Japan
June 2013 Artist in residency with Youkobo Tokyo-Japan
Oct 2012 Esplanade Community workshop for ADWF 2012
Sept 2012 Art Community Project- Silver Arts Weekend – Activity Stations
March 2012 Art Community Project with Singapore Senior Activity Centre
Jan 2012 Artist in residency with Studio Kura, Fukuoka-Japan
April 2011 First Day Cover-Stamp-EDB 50th Anniversary 2011
April 2011 Artist in residency with Singapore Association of Mental Health
May 2010 Volunteer art instructor – “Youth Reach”-Singapore Association of Mental Health
Nov 2008 Korea Kaywon Art and Design Symposium
2001-2002 Internship for Singapore Tyler Print Institute, New York-Singapore
2000 Selected and successfully completed 6 months intensive training programmed at the Tyler Print Workshop in Mount Kisco, New York, supervised by Ken Tyler.
1995-1999 Graphic/Visual Designer, Singapore Productivity Board.
1990-1995 Graphic Designer, Singapore Yellow Pages.
1981-1988 Aircraft Engineering, Singapore Air Force
AWARDS / NOMINATIONS & GRANTS
2015 -Lasalle Scholarship –Master of Fine Art
2007-Mont Blanc Young Artist World Patronage Project 2007, Hamburg, German
2006-Nominee for President’s Design Award: Singapore Design of the Year
2006-NAFA 68th Founder’s Day Commendation Award 2006, Singapore
2005-Singapore Motorola Style Awards 2005” Visual Arts Award Winner 2005
2005-Philip Morris Singapore Art Awards, Highly Recommended Award2005
2005-NAFA Scholarship (BA Degree Studies), Singapore2003
2005-UOB Painting of the year, Highly Recommended Award, Singapore1998
2003-Urban Art Competition, Letter of Commendation (Parco), Singapore
1998/1999-Georgette Chen Arts Scholarship (Diploma Studies) Singapore
EXHIBITIONS
2019 “Small Singapore Show 2.0: TaiSing Conversation” Supernormal Gallery, Singapore
2018 “Game of Life” Installation Art, Esplanade Concourse, Singapore
2018 “Small Singapore Show 2.0” Open Contemporary Art Center, Taipei Taiwan
2018 TAV “Portraiture” MOX-Banksy Gallery-Singapore
2018 “In the Mood of Serenity” Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre-Hong Kong
2018 TAV “Still Life” Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts-Singapore
2017 “Meta-graphy” MEME Art Space, Taipei-Taiwan
2017 “The Circle of Life” Japan Creative Centre, Singapore
2017 “They used to be my playground” Studio Kura, Itoshima, Fukuoka, Japan
2017 Field Trip Project Asia: Departure Edition-group artists’ exhibition–Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
2017 ‘IN-Visible’ group artist exhibition-ION Gallery, Singapore
2016 ‘South by Southeast’ 5 group artists exhibition-Yibo Gallery, Shanghai China
2016 ‘Different Light’ 4 group artists’ exhibition-Unipon2kau2 art project space, Osaka-Japan
2016 ‘And the rest of such things’ Lassalle MA Show 2016-Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore
2016 Parabiosis: International Contemporary Art Exhibition 2016-
Chongqing Contemporary Art Museum, Chongqing, China
2015 Art Now Live Tour-2: Group Traveling Show, Beijing, Tianjin, Shenzhen, China
2015 Sweet Spot: Lassalle Master Work in Progress Show Brother Joseph McNally Gallery, Singapore
2015 Synthesis: Group Show, Northart Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand
2015 Echo: Inside Out-Group Show, Lasalle and Central Academy of Fine Art-Beijing
Nov 2014 The Third Print–Total Museum of Contemporary Art –Korea Seoul
Oct 2014 Weaving Viewpoint– Partner Program of Korea Festival 2014 –Space Cottonseeds, Singapore
Aug 2014 Field Trip Project Asia-Shinjuku Creators Fiesta 2014, Japan-Tokyo
June 2014 “HOME”- Art community installation- Tampines Community Park, Singapore
May 2014 “Our Childhood-Come and Play”- Art installation- National Museum Singapore
Mar 2014 “iLight Marina Bay”- Asia Sustainable Light Art Festival 2014-Art Science Museum, Singapore
Mar 2014 “30 Life stories-Remembering Parks”-2014- SingaPlural Celebrating Design 2014Festival, Singapore
Feb 2014 “Project 6581- Parallel Perception and Counter Connection”-Japan Creative Centre, Singapore
Jan 2014 Art Stage Singapore-2014- Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore
Aug 2013 NAFA 75 Anniversary show- “Made in Singapore”-Nanyang Academy of Fine Art, Singapore
July 2013 2 Artists residency art show “Robotic Love”-Youkobo Art Space, Tokyo Japan
July 2013 “CausewayEXchange-2013” group show-Penang, Malaysia
April 2013 Big SMALL show-group show-Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore
Jan 2013 Art Stage Singapore-Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore
Nov 2012 8th Solo Exhibition “Ten Years of Art and Craft”- Art Seasons Gallery, Singapore
Nov 2012 Every Thing Matters:-Singapore Association for Mental Health Community Art Exhibition- Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
Oct 2012 Singapore International Foundation’s (SIF) Diverse City –Singapore Art Museum-8Q, Singapore
Sep 2012 Rover Artist, Performance art-Night Festival 2012- Substation, Singapore
July 2012 7th Solo Exhibition “The Paper Ball” photography and installation-Esplanade Tunnel, Singapore
May 2012 “Art Garden” –The Art of Imagination- Children Season 2012-Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
May 2012 “Roots” group exhibition-National Library Board, Singapore
May 2012 “Itoshima Arts Farm 2012”- Itoshima, Fukuoka, Japan
April 2012 “Buy Bye” 6 artists’ group exhibition,-Vue Piree gallery, Singapore
Mar 2012 “Roots” group exhibition- Old School-2902, Singapore
Mar 2012 “Sense” Residency Art Show – Studio Kura- Itoshima, Fukuoka, Japan
Nov 2011 “Affordable Art” Art Fair Singapore-F1Pit Building, Singapore
Nov 2011 “Replay” 4 artists’ group show- Art installation-Alliance Française, Singapore
Nov 2011 “Now you see it, now you __” group show-Volvo Showroom Loft, Singapore
Oct 2011 Art Seasons 10 Anniversary group show-Art Seasons, Singapore
Oct 2011 INSTINC Square Invasion-group show- Instinc, Singapore
July 2011 “CausewayEXchange-2011” group show-Art installation- KLPAC-Kuala Lumpur Performance Art Centre, Malaysia
June 2011 “Life After Death” Art installation-Asia Civilizations Museum, Singapore
June 2011 “Art Garden” – Mummy Dearest- Children Season 2011–Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
May 2011 “Apad’s 37th Art Exhibition” Contemporary 2011-National Library Building, Singapore
May 2011 “Hungry For More” Utterly Art 10 anniversary group show- Ion Art Gallery, Ion Orchard, Singapore
March 2011 “Wok of Life” group installation show- Your Mother Gallery, Singapore
Jan 2011 “Asia Pulse, 10+1Art Tactic-2011”-Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Thailand, Bangkok.
Jan 2011 “Now Boarding” – Southeast Asian works- Group exhibition. Gift Art, Singapore
Nov 2010 “Affordable Art” Art Fair Singapore-F1Pit Building, Singapore
Nov 2010 “Geisai#02” Huashan Creative Park-台北-华山文化园 Taiwan, Taipei
Jan 2011 “Asia Pulse, 10+1Art Tactic-2011”-Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Thailand, Bangkok.
July 2010 “2010 Asia Contemporary Art / Now & Next” Group exhibition,-Gwang Ju National Museum, Korea
July 2010 “2010 Asia Contemporary Art / Space & Imagination” Group exhibition,-Okgwa Museum , Korea
May 2010 “Technicolour Japan” 5 artists’ group exhibition -Vue Piree gallery, Singapore
May 2010 “No Conical Hats” – Southeast Asian works on Paper-Group exhibition. Gift Art, Singapore
Mar 2010 MaGMA’s, Group exhibition-Opera gallery, Ion Singapore
Oct 2009 National Museum Singapore, Lost in the City
Mar 2009 “Geisai#12” Big Sight, Tokyo Japan Group show
Nov 2008 “Show Time” Group Exhibition -AFC Studio, 21 Trade hub, Singapore
Nov 2008 “1X1X1”, Group Exhibition, Fost Gallery Singapore
July 2008 6th Solo Exhibition “Beijing goes West”, (个人画展)-Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Singapore
June 2008 “East meets West” An art installation, Wheelock Gallery, Singapore
Feb 2008 “6” A Group Exhibition by 6 artists, Forth Gallery Singapore
Nov 2007 “1X1X1”, Group Exhibition, Fost Gallery Singapore
Sept 2007 27th Annual Print Making Show “Untitled” by Printmaking Society Singapore-Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Singapore
Jun 2007 5th Solo Exhibition “Happy Nation”, (个人画展)-Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Singapore
May 2007 “Memories and Mementoes” 2 pop artist show, Justin and Dyn-Level 5, Marina Mandarin Hotel Singapore
Mar 2007 “Happiness in Red” Art installation,-The Centre Point Re-Launch, Orchard Singapore
Nov 2006 “Pure Reward, a sprit of giving” Christmas Art installation-Art Event at Bangkok Gaysorn Plaza, Thailand
Sep 2006 Group Show “Read Me, See Me, Feel Me” Art installation-Art and Cultural Event at Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore
Aug 2006 Group Show, “Made-In Singapore”, -Art Season Gallery, Singapore
Aug 2006 “SAMA” An Art Event of Indignation 2006 at 72-13, Singapore
June 2006 “I CAN” Installation art at Singapore General Hospital, Fountain Garden
May 2006 BA degree show, Solo exhibition and performance art-Nanyang Academy of Fine Art, Singapore (个人画展)
April 2006 “BODMOD” A Group Photographic Exhibition on Body Art, Utterly Art Singapore
April 2006 “Superstitions” BA degree open studio-Nanyang Academy of Fine Art, Gallery 2, Singapore
Mar 2006 “Adicolour” Charity Auction by Times Budding Artist Fund and Adidas-Raffles city, Singapore
Mar 2006 “Super-StyleMix” Design and Art exhibition by Asia Style-Red Dot Design Museum, gallery space, Singapore
Feb 2006 “Travelogue” Art exhibition by NAFA BA/MA degree students-Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, gallery 2, Singapore
Jan 2006 “Made 2 Order” by 7 artists, support by National Art Council Singapore Art House
Dec 2005 “Street Style Awards 2005” by Motorola, Visual Arts Award Winner-Zouk Discotheque
Oct 2005 Philip Morris Painting Competition Exhibition-Nayang Academy of Fine Art, Gallery 2 and 3
Oct 2005 “Sweet and Sour Pop” by 2 artists, Singaporean Justin Lee, and Thai Chanon, -Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Singapore
Sept 2005 Txtrapolis- Contemporary Text-Based Art from Singapore -Nayang Academy of Fine Art, Gallery 2
Aug 2005 “Absolut Celebration @ Tangs” an installation work for Singapore National Day 2005, supported by Absolut and Tangs
July 2005 “Singapore Art Festival” in Ebisu Shibuyaku, Tokyo, Japan-Group Exhibition, supported by STB and DBS
June 2005 “I-Forum Exhibition” Art Concept Floor launch at Ngee Ann City, 5th level – Art installation by 12 local artists
April 2005 “Our People, Our Lifestyle” (个人画展)
- 3rd Solo Exhibition on prints, paintings and installations - Esplanade Tunnel and Level 3 community wall
Feb 2005 “Celebrities Portraits with Artist” Exhibition of 12 local artist works TV12 Art Central, Television Cooperation,-Charity auction for AFA-Wisma Atrium Level 1
Feb 2005 “M9” a local group of 9 male artists exhibition-Art Season Gallery, Singapore
Jan 2005 “Replay” a launch of Justin Lee first catalogueCharity for AFA cum mini exhibition show 37 the Pub, Singapore
Oct 2004 “Blink” a local group artist exhibitionSingapore Art Museum
Sept 2004 “Autumn Festival” – Artist Lantern Making-Esplanade Singapore
Aug 2004 “Things in the Dark” a local group artist exhibition - Action for Aids, Singapore
July 2004 “Erotica” a local group artist exhibition-Art Season Gallery, Singapore
July 2004 “White+Red=Pink” A local group artist exhibition -Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Singapore
June 2004 “Reconstructions of a City”, A vision and illusions exhibitionA group exhibition of site specific installation artworks – TP21, Tanjong Pagar / Power House, Singapore
May 2004 “Asian Pop” An Asian group artist exhibition.-Art Season Gallery, Singapore
Feb 2004 “Made In Singapore” A local group artist exhibition-Art Season Gallery, Singapore
Jan 2004 Chinese Lunar New Year “Pillars of Harmony”,-Singapore Esplanade, Concourse level 2.
Nov 2003 2nd Solo Exhibition “Toy Nation”, (个人画展)-Utterly Art Exhibition Space, Singapore
August 03 “Big Small Show” A local and foreign group exhibition -Art Season Gallery, Singapore
April 2003 “New Finds” Singapore annual gallery show, duo exhibition.
TV MEDIA
Mar 2014 Good Morning Singapore on “iLight Marina Bay”-Channel 8, Television Cooperation Singapore
July 2012 Good Morning Singapore on “Art Garden”-Channel 8, Television Cooperation Singapore
April 2012 “Knockout-100th episode celebration”-Channel Okto, Television Cooperation Singapore
June 2011 “Knockout” (12th episode-)-Channel Okto, Television Cooperation Singapore
April 2011 “Watch This Space” (4th episode-Feed me, please)-Channel Okto, Television Cooperation Singapore
Jan 2011 Asean Contemporary Art Exhibition, 29 Jan 2011-Asean Highlights 29 Jan 2011, Cable Television Thailand, Bangkok
May 2009 Colour Maestro 新色采師 (3rd episode)-Channel U, Television Cooperation Singapore
NOV 2008 “SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA CONTEMPORARY ARTIST”,-ASIA CHANNEL NEWS, TELEVISION COOPERATION SINGAPORE
July 2008 “Olympic in Beijing” Focus- channel 8. A program about artist’s ideas o
-Based on the theme Olympic
June 2006 “My Big Fat Ideas” An art program about artist’s ideas in all discipline
March 2006 “Shopping King and Queen”- Interviewing artist on mural painting in-Majestic Hotel, Singapore-Channel 8, Television Cooperation Singapore
August 2005 “National Day Previews”- Absolut Bottle,-Interviewing artist about Street art in Singapore-Asia Channel News, Television Cooperation Singapore
Dec 2004 “Celebrities Portraits with Artist”-12 local artists and 4 celebrities-TV12 Art Central, Television Cooperation Singapore
Aug 2004 “Good Morning Singapore”- Artist interview – Lantern Making- Channel 8, Television Cooperation Singapore
July 2003 “E-TV Series”- Interviewing artist about group show in PKW.-E-TV, Channel 8, Television Cooperation Singapore
April 2003 “Pop Art Series”- Interviewing artist about pop art in Singapore.-Art Nation, Central channel, Television Cooperation Singapore
PUBLICATION:
2014 Strait Times-Singapore, “iLight Marina Bay”
2013 SA-Singapore Architect (issue 273)
2013 HOME- art décor, Singapore (issue 6)
2012 Today Paper-Singapore, “Beyond Pop”
2012 Singapore TATLER, Life-“Artist in Residency”
2012 Strait Times-Singapore, “Art Garden-2012”
2011 The Business Times-Singapore, Arts, “EDB gets stamp of art approval”
2011 The New Paper-Singapore, “Performance Art”
2011 Strait Times-Singapore, “General New March”
2008 Time Out Singapore, Artist on Pop Art.
2007 The Business Times, Arts, “Creative union of commercial and fine art”
2006 SA, Singapore Architect, Majestic Hotel, October 2006
2006 Style Men Singapore, Men profile, Pop fantasies, April 2006
2006 Catalog Singapore, Street Smart, Street Style Visual Arts Award, April
Justin Lee