Clear Your Mind
Hyunmee Lee unveils new show at Nüart Gallery
Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Santa Fe-based abstract and calligraphic painter Hyunmee Lee takes a meditative approach to Western modern art and Eastern calligraphy in her upcoming exhibit The Flow of Calligraphic Contrasts.
“Drawing inspiration from my cultural heritage and spiritual growth, I hope for viewers to recognize the balance and imbalance of life reflected in my art,” Lee tells SFR.
Lee came up in a home that followed Confucian and Buddhist principles. Her father often traveled to Europe for business, and would return with thought-provoking pieces of art. These sparked a sense of wonder in Lee starting at a young age and inspired her to pursue art herself. Later, she received her BFA from Hong-Ik University in Seoul. By the mid-1980s, Lee’s artistic journey had led her to Australia, where she received her MFA from the University of Sydney. In 1989, she took part in her first-ever exhibit in a commercial gallery.
In 1997, Lee immigrated to the United States and taught at Utah Valley University while still showing her own work at spaces like the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art. By 2006, she had begun regularly showing work in Santa Fe’s Nüart Gallery. In 2009, Lee retired from teaching to focus on art full time and, in 2016, she was pulled to live in Santa Fe as if, she says, it was “meant to be.” Cut to this week and Lee’s new show—an exploration of colorful abstractions and calligraphic contrasts mixed with text in Hangul (the South Korean alphabet) and a meditative process that embraces a clear mind while surrendering to the flow of the brush.
Lee says her self-exploration over the span of decades and continents allows her to dive into the world of abstract art through a deep understanding of the fundamental elements of human nature.
“My recent pieces delve more into the concept of ‘empty mind,’ similar to the process of meditation; exploring surface contrasts and abstract dimensions of both opposition and harmony through a blend of mixed-media and acrylic,” she explains.
Hyunmee Lee: The Flow of Calligraphic Contrasts Opening Reception: 5-7pm Friday, July 26. Nüart Gallery, 670 Canyon Road, (505) 988-3888
Traditiooooooon! Tradition!
With images of the recently concluded International Folk Art Market still dancing in our heads, we figure the town has the wherewithal to make this weekend’s Traditional Spanish Market a rousing success, too. The oldest and largest show of its kind in the country celebrates its 98th birthday in 2024, and is slated to feature tons of known and new artists, including Felipe Rivera, Arlene Sena Cisneros, Debbie Carrillo, Yvonne Aragon and far too many more to print here. Think devotional works, santeros, tin pieces, woodworking, retablos, jewelry, textiles and just about anything else, then head to the Plaza to see, enjoy and purchase.
98th Traditional Spanish Market: 8 am-5 pm Friday, July 26-Sunday, July 28. Free. Santa Fe Plaza, 63 Lincoln Ave., traditionalspanishmarket.org
You’re Not Imagining This
Perhaps you’re more familiar with The Halluci Nation’s previous name, a Tribe Called Red; the inimitable Indigenous Canadian hip-hop act changed their handle in 2021 as an homage to the poet John Trudell. They kept their sound. That badass combination of sick beats, traditional Indigenous vocals and drumming, reggae and electro-pop/dubstep has served them well, leading to high-profile collabs with the likes of Yasiin Bey (FKA Mos Def); a most excellent performance via Seattle radio station KEXP in 2022; numerous Juno Awards (kind of like Canada’s Grammys); and, this week, a return trip to Santa Fe and The Bridge @Santa Fe Brewing Co. (ADV)
The Halluci Nation: 6:30 pm Saturday, July 27. $25 The Bridge @Santa Fe Brewing Co., (505) 557-6182
Indie Excellence
Old-school Santa Fe music dorks will surely remember the years when a lesser-known DeVotchKa would roll through our teen arts centers and DIY spaces. Of course, in the years that followed, the Denver-based Eastern European-inspired, self-described indie-goth/Gypsy-punk act became one of the more sought-after in the country, and it got a little tougher to catch shows—until now. DeVotchKa hits the Santa Fe Plaza this week totally gratis as part of the Summer Scene series from nonprofit Lensic360. This one’s for everybody, from the dancers and scenesters to the tranks, zipheads and lobos. (ADV)
Summer Scene on the Santa Fe Bandstand: DeVotchKa: 6 pm Tuesday, July 30. Free. Santa Fe Plaza, 63 Lincoln Ave., lensic360.org