Born 1960 in Kingston, Jamaica, Pat, essentially a self taught artist began her career as an illustrator of children's books. She held
her first public exhibition in 1986.
Lee's mixed media paintings radiate a quiet power, and can best be described as expressions of her spiritual self, being a potpourri of the surrealist, romantic and ethereal; not fantasy but about feelings and relationships. Her work speaks of her struggles as an artist,wife, mother,homemaker and the stresses and triumphs involved in taking care of a daughter with multiple disabilities. This peace and serenity inherent in her work gives us an insight into what keeps Pat in focus - and is a common theme in Jamaican Art in general - the importance individual spirituality plays in overcoming obstacles and achieving harmony and balance in ones life.
Her imagery mostly based on the self-portrait, is not merely a narcissistic pre-occupation, but the result of life experiences and the ability to express this triumph through her own eyes. The tactile nature of Lee's work reflects not simply surface quality, but a deliberate search for the third dimension layers of hidden meaning, yet so strong, almost touchable yet so fleeting,waif-like and subtle. As a result any interpretation must be tempered by the experience each viewer brings with him or her to work. |
