“Each painting by Won Lee is a challenge, a question and an affirmation. The serenity in her paintings evokes emotions that hover beyond appearances and can only be perceived by those who take the time to look and feel. Change is always present through her collections, whose qualities and values will stand the test of time.”
PARIS BOUGE
Valerie's Polyptychs are some of the most popular works in her portfolio. Each polyptych is made up of a different number of panels, which fit together to form various compositions that can adapt to your preference. The artwork is designed to keep the paintings together, interchange or separate them, creating something beautiful for each setting.
What makes Valerie Won Lee's artwork so spectacular is its ability to teach, connect and inspire. She fuses ritual, nature and spirituality in her paintings to remind us of our collective connection to our ancestors, the natural world, and ourselves. By fusing art with science topics such as climate change, migration and ancestry through a modern lens, Valerie aims to inspire each one of us to protect the environment, live mindfully and connect with each other.
Valerie's artwork is inspired by her interest in art, science and technology, culture and humanity. With her experience in the tech world and the humanitarian world, she saw it coming.
Early in the last decade, between 2010 and 2012, Valerie painted a 2020 collection that reflected both her vision of the world in 2020 and her concern for global issues we face today: Diversity, Covid 19, Climate Change, and the gap between rich and poor.
This was her last art collection before founding the World Citizen Artists community, which pioneered uniting creative forces to raise global awareness of social and humanitarian issues. The global community united 150,000 creatives, students and art lovers from around the world.
Valerie Won Lee is an abstract figurative visual artist whose work is a rich tapestry of futurism, cross-cultural narratives, and social themes. Inspired by a multitude of cultures and interests, she's honed an intuitive style of acrylic painting that breathes new life into the ordinary, transforming it into something extraordinary.
Born in South Korea, raised in France, and a global explorer at heart, Valerie's art serves as a fascinating journey through time and space. She is a modern artist with a foot in the past, continuously evolving her craft to speak to contemporary audiences.
From Childhood Dreams to Self-Reliance
Valerie's contribution to this remains significant. In her own words, "To create is to break the rules."
As a child, Valerie wanted to be a fashion designer. She spent a lot of time drawing faces, unusual hairstyles and clothes.
At the age of 15, Valerie bravely embarked on an apprenticeship in hairdressing, a decision met with skepticism and doubt in her small, conservative town where diversity and inclusion were notably absent. The experience became a crucible, highlighting the challenges that often come with pursuing unconventional paths in less accepting environments.
When she began traveling at 19, she turned to pastel painting and then to acrylic and oil painting.
Her paintings always go through many iterations before she decides on the final composition. It is a very organic process with little of the design of each painting pre-planned.
By her mid-20s, Valerie had already gained invaluable experience working with some of the fashion industry's most renowned names, including Voyage, Issey Miyake, Christian Lacroix, and Alberta Ferretti. Valerie's work is gathered through collections.
Although she wasn't in a designer role, this behind-the-scenes immersion in the fashion world deeply influenced her creative perspective. These experiences, combined with her humanitarian outlook shaped by global travels, led to her groundbreaking collection "Fashion Victims," which seamlessly fuses fashion and art to deliver a compelling narrative.
Art Is a Powerful Engine For Change
Valerie’s life experiences have deeply influenced her art and perspective. She has taught children in Guatemala City's garbage dumps, lived with Pacific tribes, journeyed to remote areas in Southeast Asia, and much more. Her work is not only a reflection of her artistry but also her worldview, influenced by her travels, cultural experiences, and social engagements.
Her first art exhibition was in Niort, France, at the local Commission of Culture, and in collaboration with a local Lao-Thai cultural and spiritual organization. In summer 2012, she exhibited her ‘The Roaring Twenties’ collection at the Bataclan in Paris, a famous concert venue.
In September 2013 Won Lee mounted her “Asia” exhibition at the 11th arrondissement’s Salon d’Automne and in August 2014, Won lee did the portrait of the French singer and actress Lina Lamara who used the painting for the poster of her show ‘Clef de Gaia‘, presented at the Festival d’Avignon 2015. The poster was selected as best poster of the year and will be exhibited at the World’s biggest theatre for one year.
‘The Roaring Twenties’ exhibition attracted the attention of People magazine (South Korea), which published a six-page feature article on her life and work. In this interview, Won Lee was emphatic that artists should not be obliged to pay to be exhibited, as is often the case among emerging artists.
In part to side-step this pay-for-exhibit system, in 2012 Valerie Won Lee established a virtual, online magazine, ‘V.W.L’, that so far attracts over 30,000 views.
For Christmas 2013, V.W.L magazine featured artists around the world hailing from different arts, styles and levels of fame, who agreed to be “World Citizens” in a call for peace and unity. In 2014, she launched the World Citizen Artists community.
Amplifying her dedication to social impact, Valerie didn't just stop at her own achievements; she aimed to bring artists together for a larger cause. This vision led her to create World Citizen Artists, a global community of creatives committed to collective action and positive change. It's a testament to her deep-rooted belief that art isn't just a solitary endeavor but a collaborative force capable of driving societal progress.
Empowering Others Through Art and Speech
In addition to her art, Valerie is also a sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator, specifically aimed at empowering youth, educators, and artists. Her interactive sessions provide actionable insights and tools for making a meaningful, positive impact in various communities. To learn more about her multi-faceted career and upcoming projects, visit valeriewonlee.com.
Valerie’s art and outreach are proof that she is more than just a painter; she's a changemaker. Whether it’s through her vivid brush strokes or her empowering workshops, she’s influencing a new generation of thinkers and artists. Her philosophy, that "To create is to break the rules," seems to resonate through every facet of her life, advocating for an ethos of originality, transformation, and positive change.
