Reagan Lee’s style of painting has its origins in the Western painting tradition of Expressionism, although the spiritual basis of his work acknowledges the Eastern religions dominated by Buddhism. In his work, East and West come together in a synthesis of great power and individuality.
Lee paints with gestural energy in a manner which suggests wildness and humanity of his subjects - be they figures, landscapes, or fantastical abstracts. His improvisational approach to oil paint leads to works that are semi-sculptural with relief-like finishes. This spontaneity is juxtaposed with a thoughtful adherence to the five colours used in traditional Chinese painting (red, yellow, blue (including green), white and black).
Reagan Lee graduated from the Printmaking School of the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1990. In 1991 he migrated to the island of Seychelles in Africa, where he lived for nearly ten years, before moving to Europe and finally settling in New Zealand. Throughout his career he has sought to reconcile traditional Chinese art practices with the global concerns introduced to him through his time spent immersed in other cultures. Well known for his expressive portraits, Lee’s practice was recognised with a major exhibition at Guangdong Museum of Art, China, in 2012.
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