An artistic creation is often seen as a spiritual act, an attempt to articulate something transcendental. As Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini put it: 'Art is the most beautiful way for man to learn that he has a religious feeling.'
The photography of Patrick Lee embodies this spirit. Following a hiatus of a few years, the Hong Kong artist has unveiled his latest photographic works, A Return to Silence, in a solo exhibition at Art Statements Gallery. The 32 works - images of everyday objects that range from tree branches, dirty dishes to sunlight - speak in a hushed voice about the world of impermanence, paradox and hope.
Yet, A Return to Silence isn't only about looking at art; it is also an invitation for self-reflection and contemplation. Included in the exhibition are lines from the Jesuits' meditative prayer, the Examination of Consciousness, and a poem by Li Bai, Alone Looking at the Mountain, which celebrates forgetting one's self to be one with nature. 'I want to create a dialogue between the images and the texts,' the artist says.
The artworks are the fruit of Lee's recent spiritual exploration that began as a personal crisis.
'Two or three years ago, due to some unfortunate circumstances, I lost everything: my money, my reputation, my home,' the 58-year-old says. 'I felt very vulnerable; I was worthless. Without this worldly protection, I was defenceless.'
But he considers the misfortune a blessing in disguise. 'I found my true worth in God,' says Lee, who found solace not only in his Catholic faith but also in Buddhist philosophy. 'We always talk about the deluded self, but by letting go of one's self, we aren't attached to any concept and can become wiser.'
