Art
Are These Really NOT Photographs?
We speak to Monica Lee about her love for hyperrealism art.
For Monica Lee art runs through her veins. Coming from a family who loves art has nurtured Monica’s love for art from a young age. Her father’s a photographer while her mum is into sewing bags. “Ever since I was a child, I loved to draw and wanted to become an artist,” shared Monica.
The 37-year old is one of the many Malaysian talents that have carved a name for themselves in the art industry. To show their support for the local artists in Malaysia, Red Bull has kicked off an art initiative, #EhWauBulan, in April. This project aims to bring together Malaysian artists by sharing their journey through their art.
Tell us why do you do what you do?
Before this, I was a digital imaging artist in my dad’s advertising photography studio. During my 12 years there, I learned about art and photography. This is where I began to appreciate hyperrealism and details.
Can you share with us what your art process is like?
I select photographs based on a theme. Once a photo gets me all excited, I recreate what I see by further exaggerating and emphasizing the details in my drawings. A piece usually takes around a month to complete, however my “Rhino” took me 3 months. I use graphite pencils and paper along with additional tools such as blending stumps, a Q-tip, graphite powder and a Tombow Mono Zero Eraser.
“Rhino”
© Monica Lee
Why does art bring you such joy?
There is so much freedom for me to express myself in my art. To create something that I can call my own gives me a great sense of self-satisfaction.
Tell us how you felt about the first piece that you sold.
It was “Noah Veraguth” which was sold during the Faber-Castell Art Exhibition, AMPLIFY. The red little dot (that denotes an art piece is sold) next to my artwork gave me a sense of achievement. It’s so rewarding, knowing that my art will be on someone’s wall, with someone who appreciates my work.
What are some of your favourite subjects to work with?
I mainly specialize in portraiture, wildlife and still life.
How has your practice changed over time?
I am more obsessed with details as compared to when I first started. Although it is very time consuming and tedious, I can’t help myself – I guess you can call it my OCD.
Do you think social media has helped you as an artist in Malaysia?
It doesn’t really matter where you’re from. With social media and the internet, my work has gotten so much more exposure than I could ever imagine. It took me places and I met a lot of people.
What is your dream project?
Something cultural. I’d like to draw a series of life-size drawings of Chinese opera characters. The beauty of the costumes, the meticulous embroidered patterns and the details of it is so fascinating and it’s just waiting to be drawn on paper.
Tigress and her bone
© Monica Lee
Any art-world pet peeves?
Receiving snide comments like, “What’s the point of doing this when I can easily do this with my camera.” My art is really not about copying, but rather, the process of creating it.
Which local artist inspires you, and why?
Ahmad Zakii Anwar. His portraits and still life works are amazing, especially his charcoal drawings.
What message are you trying to communicate through your art?
I want to create the awareness that something as simple as a pencil can be used to create amazing art – if only one has the patience to do so. Also, I want to bring attention to the simple yet beautiful nature that surrounds us, which we sometimes fail to appreciate.
What are your creative habits?
I spend most of my time drawing at home, usually an average of 13 hours a day. You sometimes need to endure pain and pressure to achieve what you want – as they say, ’no pain, no gain’.
Have you thought about your future plans now that you are an established artist?
To have more exhibitions in the future, hopefully.
For more realistic art, follow Monica Lee’s Instagram: @zephyrxavier or her Facebook page.
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