Lee Ming-Tse grew up during the 1970s, a time when the “nativist movement” was at its height in Taiwan. When Lee was awarded the Hsiung Shih New Artists Prize in 1981 for his work, Chinese Style, the movement was nearing its end. Nevertheless, to Lee, “nativism” not only referred to a specific geographical location, but also a state of mind that encompassed local folk customs, ethics, and other cultural aspects. For him, the movement served as a spiritual recollection for a distant and harsh history marked with great change. To express childhood memories, Lee used art to capture scenes of ordinary, daily life in Taiwan. Elements of common life served as the source of inspiration for his artistic themes. Although Lee’s works appear similar to traditional Chinese landscapes, they are, in fact, the artist’s re-interpretation of illustrations from novels, temple decorations, or other elements of traditional Taiwanese culture, such as Bian Zi or Zhou Zi. His works never express a particular reverence for Chinese culture. Rather, his art explores memories from his childhood. In fact, “Chinese Style” might be misleading because Lee’s artworks actually embody a “Taiwanese style.”

Lee’s creative career has been marked with constant transformations, which also outline a trajectory of his creative direction. For his art, Lee places much emphasis on the intersection between art and daily life. Reflecting on past experiences, he draws from personal memories to express a sense of wonder for the myth-like aspects of folk culture. Referencing ancient legends and myths, Lee explores and reflects upon his own life to transcend reality and the physical world.

Lee’s creative process involving schemata-like images led to his creation of paintings that imbue symbolic meanings and rich narratives. His works combine fiction with reality to express an admiration for traditional folk culture and a nostalgic yet melancholic view of history. They can also be seen as allegories regarding many social aspects. With a focus on daily life, the artist expresses a deep care for society in his works, whether they serve as a scrutiny of religion, an imagination of methodology, or an expression of artistic meaning. Lee’s art serves as an expression of his life experiences, while invoking a deep care for society and history. However, underneath Lee’s poetic schemata-like images, there lurks a hidden desire.

Text By Chen Shui-Tsai