Neti Neti
13 April 2023
Neti Neti was a solo exhibition by Jane Lee, curated by John Tung, in collaboration with Yogya Art Lab (YAL). It was a collection of her sculptural works over the past two years, presented in Gajah Gallery Singapore at Tanjong Pagar from 5 January 2023 to 29 January 2023.
The Sanskrit expression, Neti Neti (translated as “not this, not this”), frames Lee’s 14 new artworks as a meditative search for her true self – the “non-dual awareness of reality and the universal essence.” She further references icons within the history of painting as she attempts to uncover the essence of painting. J.M.W. Turner’s landscapes had strips of stainless steel curling out of its turbulent scene; Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa was printed as a negative; and Monet paintings were printed on crumpled steel. Lee creates contemporary versions of iconic masterpieces, expanding the way we engage with the works and setting an atmosphere for the viewers to reflect on Neti Neti.
Lee, Jane. The Truth is Upside Down #1. 2023, Gajah Gallery Singapore.
Left: Lee, Jane. This, That #2. 2023, Gajah Gallery Singapore. Right: Lee, Jane. This, That #3. 2023, Gajah Gallery Singapore
Her sculptures mostly hung on walls with installations like The Truth is Upside Down #1 and #2 on the right side and her N Dimension #2 in the middle. The far end of the room features interactive-like works (from the lenticular printing), Not That You Know Who I Am #1 and #2. A slightly smaller room on the left contains Not This, Not That #1 to #3 along with other stainless steel sculptures. It also has a quote from Lee on starting her work from zero and another from Claude Monet on forgetting what objects you have before you when you go out to paint. The light reflects the steel’s tactility, illuminating abstract shapes on the wall and creating an atmosphere that is almost sublime.
Lee successfully explores the boundaries between painting and sculpture, maintaining the illustrative depth of painting while taking the physicality of sculpture. She challenged boundaries between the various realms of art, producing a thought-provoking collection of work worth visiting.
