In my work, I explore the "urban scape" and the cyclical nature of our built environment—the way structures are born, weathered, and occasionally stripped to their foundations. This painting was sparked by a news image of the extensive renovations taking place at the East Wing of the White House. While I do not intend for my art to be a vessel for a specific political opinion, I was struck by the sight of a national monument in such a state of physical unmaking. To see a symbol of history and stability being dismantled feels less like a natural evolution and more like a somber warning. I value our traditions and the weight of our shared history; seeing those layers peeled away suggests that if we do not stop to learn from our past mistakes, we will find it increasingly difficult to move forward with any true foundation. By focusing on the skeletal lath and the tangled debris of the demolition, I have captured a moment of profound vulnerability. This is not a celebration of progress, but a meditation on the fragility of our structures—both physical and societal. I hope to leave the interpretation open to the viewer, but for me, this scene is a reminder that once we begin to strip away our history, we must be very careful about what we intend to build in its place.

Cheryl HJ Lee

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Cheryl HJ Lee, a Korean-born artist, shifted her creative journey from Vancouver to Toronto after moving to Canada at 16. Graduating with a Visual Arts major from Emily Carr University in 2017, Cheryl’s diverse artistic repertoire includes self-taught textile art and innovative VR painting. Her thematic exploration revolves around how personal experiences and environments evolve with shifting perspectives over time, intricately connected to her immigrant background. Cheryl invites viewers to interpret her work through their unique experiences, fueled by her curiosity for the varied perspectives her paintings evoke. Cheryl’s art mirrors her journey, seamlessly blending continents, mediums, and a profound quest for self-understanding. As she navigates the canvas of her life, Cheryl's creations promise to be a dynamic narrative, weaving together threads of identity, memory, and the rich tapestry of diverse interpretations.