Xeexeng Lee and Hmong Art

I found Xeexing Lee's teaching style to be very engaging.  Out of all the other guest speakers I really enjoyed listening to his insights and seeing his work.  He was one of my personal favorites.  His progression of gold leaf artwork and finding the sacred in his culture and family was especially intriguing.  It was fascinating finding the connections between the Hmong world view and his view on what are is and should be. 

Also he made the distinction that Hmong art is very personal and functional.  All of the traditional work is done for everyday living purposes.  The clothing was very ornate and intricate.  I have such a respect for these Hmong women that can create these masterpieces of art and simply use them for living.  Not hanging in a museum or selling them for massive amounts of money. 

Frequently I am in the music building so I have seen the art before, but I haven't really soaked it in.  After hearing Xeexeng's stories I spent a few minutes today looking closer at the artwork hanging on the wall.  The connections and the background of his lecture made the art stand out more so than it has before.  In general I enoyed his lecture and all that he brought to the table in his art and his outlook on art in the world.  I want to leave you with my favorite quote of his from the night...


"Art is about making the invisible, visible" -Xeexing Lee