Chinese painter Jack Lee has captured what he describes as the mystery and mystique of Emirati life in a series of carefully executed oil paintings currently on show in the National Theatre in Abu Dhabi. Lee, who has been living in the UAE for 10 years, paints his subjects from the back, to show respect for their way of life and their religion, he also describes his subjects as modern and contemporary, opposed to the traditional heritage paintings so often shown in exhibitions about Emirati life.
The painter, who has lectured at many universities in the capital and whose work hangs in many government offices and private residences of the royal family, called his current exhibition Marhaba Asa with a subtitle: .
“The UAE is still a mystery for me,” he says, “even though I have been living here for around 10 years. Actually, I have always tried hard to learn more about the culture and history here and all my paintings are the expression of this; they show my way of understanding. Particularly, I like to employ my artistic techniques to show the dignity and unique style of local attire- the kandoura and the abaya.”
* Marhaba Asa runs until July 5 at the National Theatre, Abu Dhabi
aseaman@thenational.ae
