Kai-Yun Catherene Lee is one of ArtConnect’s Artists to Watch '22

Practicing contemporary and conceptual photography since 2018, Kai-Yun's work is mostly about subjects such as environmental and social issues, and the question of identity. Her visual narrative is often an immersion of introspective personal quest, documentary, and mise-en-scène; characterized by a melancholic symbolism, sensitively captures and depicts human vulnerability, emotions, and yearning.

ArtConnect asked the winning artists to share with us a glimpse into their creative life to get a sense of their personal inspiration and artistic process.

How did you get started as an artist?

My earliest introduction to performing art was through my training as a classical pianist. In fall 2017, I decided to broaden my horizons, developing my long-time and ever-growing passion for visual art; I enrolled in an intensive program at the international school of photography, Collège Marsan, where I learned about and specialized in contemporary/conceptual photography and have since developed a profound interest in subjects such as identity, environmental and social issues.

How would you describe your artistic approach?

Developed from mise-en-scène, my photographs are often based and elaborated on concepts that emphasize drama, emotions, and intimacy, creating a visual narrative where each image is built like a painting with strong symbolic significance; with the purpose to confront the spectator, making them one of the actors of my photographs, thus provoking questioning and raising awareness. With such intention, I keep in my goal that my images, although aesthetically strong, never stray from the truth.

And how about what inspires you?

Truth, beauty, love, human nature, art, poetry, philosophy...and anything that is thoughts provoking.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist?

To bring more surrender into my photography. At each creation process, it is difficult not to worry whether afterward the message can be received and understood; and that might affect my approach, which I need to be careful about. Also, it is important to remember that creating is a deeply solitary and selfish act, which concerns only us (the artists); and the goal of art is to speak of oneself in all sincerity.

Describe a typical day in the studio/wherever you make your work.

With the nature of my subjects, I rarely work in the studio setting and take most of my photos in various places, working mostly with natural light, having interactions with my subjects. Each of my photography sessions usually takes no more than 3 hours, however, before that there is always tremendous time spent on reflecting and planning the project and communicating with the subjects/people involved.

Is there a medium, a process, or a technique that you haven't used in your work yet but would like to try out?

I would like my photography to always serve a purpose. Since I started off with contemporary photography, I have mostly focused on creating visual stories that are based and elaborated on concepts. In this last year, I have been looking more and more forward to discovering other types of photography such as photojournalism and documentary, and I think that is where I’m going to explore in the coming years.

What are you currently working on? Or an upcoming project you want to mention?

My next project(s) is still in the process of being structured. It will be one of the subjects that are close to my heart, which is most probably going to be about gender or racial identity.

How does it feel to be selected as an ArtConnect Artist to Watch?

I am very thankful for the opportunity and thrilled to have the chance to reach out to more people and to communicate with my art.

See more of Kai-Yun’s work

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