Artists, and other Animals: New Art Work of Joe Lee

Artists, and other Animals: new work of Joe Lee is presented at By Hand Gallery and features the new work of Joe Lee with an opening reception on Friday, June 2nd, from 5–8 pm for Gallery Walk, Bloomington.

Joe Lee has long been recognized as an important illustrator, satirist, and writer of cultural commentary. While he continues to produce work in these professional roles, he has also created a body of uniquely personal artwork that is to stand alone, outside of the realm of mass media. The work includes tongue-in-cheek homages of iconic paintings of historical artists such as Fragonard, Magritte, Hokusai, Holbein, and Sargent with animals that stand-in for depiction of the human condition. In the artist’s words:

“I love a good story, actually, I love some bad ones, too.

Stories are the way we human animals explain ourselves to the world and to each other. I create art to talk to the world; to tell a story.

Our winged, furred, shelled, and scaled brethren have since time immemorial been the subjects of our fables, myths, and our symbolic stand-ins. These are some of my animal stories, sometimes using well known works of art as the vehicle to drive the plot. Sometimes letting the mask, the mirror slip just enough to show who and what is really being represented. Sometimes just letting the ambiguity be the story.

In any case, I hope you enjoy the menagerie.”