Nikki S. Lee

Nikki S. Lee

BornNationalityBased In
1970South KoreanSeoul, New York City
Biography

Nikki S. Lee is a photographer and filmmaker who creates durational bodies of work. Stretching the parameters of performance and identity politics, Lee’s best known series is Projects (1997-2001) which Lee began while studying at NYU. Selecting various sub-cultural identities such as skateboarders, exotic dancers, swingers, yuppies or senior citizens, Lee would spend three or four months with each community, learning their social intricacies, expressions, behaviours, ways of dressing etc. After this research period, Lee would present herself as a member of this group, and spend a further few weeks being pictured as part of this new entourage, aiming to blend into the fabric of the clique. Merging elements of documentary, research and performance, the representation of these multiple personas links Lee’s practice to the work of Cindy Sherman, Eleanor Antin and Adrian Piper. However, Lee’s oeuvre has come under scrutiny in recent years with accusations of cultural appropriation, (Lee darkened her skin to assimilate with the Hip-Hop crowd and drastically altered her makeup as part of the Hispanic series). Critics continue to question whether Lee mobilizes appropriation to highlight and challenge racial, gender or sexuality biases, or whether her methodologies further cement social divisions. ...

Selected Artworks
Part (14)
Nikki S. Lee
Part (14), 2002
75.9 x 70.48cm
The Yuppie Project (15)
Nikki S. Lee
The Yuppie Project (15), 1998
The Schoolgirls Project (5)
Nikki S. Lee
The Schoolgirls Project (5), 2000
76.2 x 101.6cm
The Skateboarders Project (31)
Nikki S. Lee
The Skateboarders Project (31), 2000
71.8 x 54cm
Part (26)
Nikki S. Lee
Part (26), 2003
124.46 x 131.44cm
The Seniors Project (10)
Nikki S. Lee
The Seniors Project (10), 1999
54 x 71.8cm
The Tourist Project (13)
Nikki S. Lee
The Tourist Project (13), 1997
101.5 x 75cm
The Punk Project (5)
Nikki S. Lee
The Punk Project (5), 1997
The Lesbian Project (3)
Nikki S. Lee
The Lesbian Project (3), 1997
54 x 71.8cm
The Exotic Dancers Project (31)
Nikki S. Lee
The Exotic Dancers Project (31), 2000
The Swingers Project (6)
Nikki S. Lee
The Swingers Project (6), 1998
76.2 x 101.6cm
The Seniors Project (12)
Nikki S. Lee
The Seniors Project (12), 1999
101.6 x 76.2cm
The Schoolgirl Projects (22)
Nikki S. Lee
The Schoolgirl Projects (22), 2000
76.2 x 101.6cm
Part (6)
Nikki S. Lee
Part (6), 2002
127 x 111.13cm
The Skateboarders Project (25)
Nikki S. Lee
The Skateboarders Project (25), 2000
53.34 x 71.12cm
Gallery Representation
Biennals
Istanbul Biennial2003 - Istanbul
Istanbul Biennial2003 - Istanbul
Liverpool Biennial2002
Liverpool Biennial2002
Gwangju Biennial2000 - Gwangju
Gwangju Biennial2000 - Gwangju
Unlock Price & Inquiry Access