Falls Church Arts: Claire Lee Wins People's Choice Award for 'Lolita's Shell' in 'Beauty of Diversity' Show
Beauty, indeed. And contemplation.
For their Fall 2024 exposition "The Beauty of Diversity" (Oct. 5 – Nov. 17), Falls Church Arts (FCA) issued a call to artists to "explore the beauty and strength that diversity – whether of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, experiences, abilities, or opinions – brings to our lives."
With her painting "Lolita's Shell," artist Claire Lee of Chantilly, Virginia, responded resoundingly to the call. Her artist website for Claire Jiyoung Lee features an impressively diverse range of individual talents across many media, as she specializes in "ceramic, metal, wooden sculptures, textile design, and painting."
Per an FCA press release, Lee's winning entry "Lolita's Shell," is described as an "oil painting with gold leaf on canvas," measuring 20" x 24."
The vibrant, moody, autumnally-colored painting – with gold tinting, evocative oranges and browns, and most striking, the flowing red hair of the female subject set against her bright eyes, yet concealed in a posture of privacy and inner reflection – depicts a metaphorical Lolita huddling against her own enormous snail shell, sequestered in a field of wheat and pondering the "walls" in her life.
Lee says about her artwork: “The endless cycle of intersection, connection, and the disconnection of time. Wanting to express warmth and this sense of duration, I utilized thick layers of oil paint and accentuated with gold leaf to create Lolita’s Shell. Within a rapidly evolving world, I feel trapped behind a large wall, unable to communicate with the world. This wall is solid and creates a stubbornness of a different level. Jasmine [another of Lee's paintings] and Lolita are the me-within-me, who play the role of breaking down that wall.”
With over 35,900 views, Lee's Instagram Reel, "Lolita's Shell Exhibition," beautifully captures her creative process in developing her people-pleasing work:
"Whether working in acrylics, oils, or mixed media, Claire Lee strives to capture the beauty and complexity of the world, exploring themes in nature, identity, emotion and nostalgia," her artist website bio reads. "Her work often employs bold and vibrant colors and intricate details, that all imbue each work with a sense of depth and meaning to connect with viewers on deeper levels. Claire Lee studied in Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, with concentrations in ceramics, wooden crafts, and metal sculptures."
"She tutored students for a few years, especially those working on portfolios for fine arts college admissions," her bio continues. "Coming to the U.S., she continued to work with ceramics, and recently returned to drawing and painting on canvas. She lives and works in Chantilly, Virginia."
"Lolita's Shell" by Claire Jiyoung Lee is available at Falls Church Arts for $2400.
The gallery of Falls Church Arts is at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church. It's open Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Artworks can also be viewed online at www.fallschurcharts.org. Pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.
By Christopher Jones
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