In ‘weather paintings’, Australian artist Lindy Lee looks beyond figuration to embody the forces of nature. Lee creates abstract, constellation-like images that speak to the power of fire, wind and water. To make these works, Lee meditatively flings Chinese...
In ‘weather paintings’, Australian artist Lindy Lee looks beyond figuration to embody the forces of nature. Lee creates abstract, constellation-like images that speak to the power of fire, wind and water. To make these works, Lee meditatively flings Chinese ink across sheets of paper and burns holes in the surfaces with a soldering iron. Afterwards, the artist leaves them outdoors in the elements for several days. Tarnished by wind and rain, water pools on the paper and mixes with the ink to create cosmic imprints of chance and nature. Chance is a key element of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, which has had a longstanding influence on Lee’s practice and is the driving force behind some of her most intricate works.
ARTWORK STORIES: Delve into QAGOMA’s Collection highlights for a rich exploration of the work and its creator
ARTISTS & ARTWORKS: Explore work by Lindy Lee in the QAGOMA Collection
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‘Elliptical rain’ 2018
Lindy Lee, Australia b.1954 / Elliptical rain 2018 / Chinese ink, rain and fire on cold-pressed paper / 153 x 103cm / Purchased 2020 with funds from the QAGOMA Foundation and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Lindy Lee
‘No up, no down, just is’ 2018
Lindy Lee, Australia b.1954 / No up, no down, just is 2018 / Chinese ink, fire and rain on cold-pressed paper / 153.5 x 102.5cm / Purchased 2020 with funds from the QAGOMA Foundation and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Lindy Lee
‘Quiescence’ 2018
Lindy Lee, Australia b.1954 / Quiescence 2018 / Chinese ink and fire on cold-pressed paper / 154.6 x 103cm / Purchased 2020 with funds from the QAGOMA Foundation and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Lindy Lee
‘Resting in a cloud of stars’ 2018
Lindy Lee, Australia b.1954 / Resting in a cloud of stars 2018 / Chinese ink and fire on cold-pressed paper / 154.5 x 103cm / Purchased 2020 with funds from the QAGOMA Foundation and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Lindy Lee
Works by Lindy Lee are on display in the exhibition ‘Living Patterns: Contemporary Australian Abstraction’ at the Queensland Art Gallery from 23 September 2023 – 11 February 2024.
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