[Directing his knowledge, experiences, and cultural energy towards his artwork,
Seexeng has had the opportunity to share a fragment of the Hmong experience with others. Presented with the opportunity
to guest speak at the prestigious Wellesley College in Massachusetts, University of Wisconsin Madison and Milwaukee, along
with local Macalester and Augsburg Colleges, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT). His work continues
to preserve the Hmong culture and educate others of the journey of Hmong people. Through his artwork, Seexeng has been
able to share his talents, gain a deeper understanding of his surroundings, expressing his heartfelt connection to the community
and why the Hmong people continue to be a great contribution to ongoing American culture, art, and society. As a cultural
artist, his artwork has been able to restore lost identity.
“Art doesn’t have to speak a specific language but once recognized,
can be a beautiful experience,” said Seexeng. You must look beyond its visual multi-layer aesthetic beauty and
feel the hidden stories because that is what makes his art even more meaningful and alluring. The images of Seexeng’s
artwork will seep into your mind and open your heart. “Art is timeless, therapeutic, universal and recognizable
by all; and for those who deeply love art may be experiencing a form of religion,” said Seexeng. Given his experiences,
Seexeng has been able to produce the multi-layer dimensional ardor shown through his artwork.]
Seexeng Lee helps Mai Moua, 90 years old, sign his piece titled Hmong Icon. Photo by Ge Khang
7/14/2010
Seexeng Lee Commemorates Hmong Culture & Gen.
Vang Pao's Birthday Through Art By Amy Doeun
[Back in January or February of this year Blia Vue, a board member at
Lao Family Community, approached artist Seexeng Lee with the idea of commemorating the Hmong experience and the 80th birthday
of General Vang Pao.
Seexeng jokingly told HMONG TIMES, "It's a good thing she approached me then. After
that I got so busy I probably would have turned her down." But he didn't, and over the next couple months he began to
formulate an idea of how to honor a man and a community.
Lee's signature style calls for "authenticity"
and often includes, "direct contribution [from community members] - it is more authentic then my interpretation."
So, while the work of setting up the 2 paintings, "Hmong Icon" and "35th Anniversary," began several months
before the July 4th Freedom celebration, the community really got involved beginning July 1st at the opening celebration.]
Please visit Hmong Times website to read the full article: http://hmongtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=190&ArticleID=2644
ASIAN AMERICAN PRESS
"Building COmmunity
Within Diversity"
Friday, July 2, 2010
Seexeng Lee dreams up special community birthday gift for General Vang Pao
photo by Tom LaVenture
(Article
was courtesy of AApress)
-
By Tom LaVenture
AAP staff writer
-
[
ST. PAUL (July 2, 2010) – Seexeng
Lee, a South High School art teacher, who is also renowned for his commissioned public works of art – took it upon himself
to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of Hmong in America and the 80th Birthday of General Vang Pao, with a special piece that
was created with community participation.The work, titled, “Hmong Icon” has at its center
a three-dimensional sculpted head of the revered military commander who was also instrumental in the transition of the refugee
community in the United States. It is placed upon three tiers, or layers to denote past, present and future. ]
11"x11", sculptural material with 24K gold leaf. Feb. 2010
-
Created this piece solely to be entered into Minneapolis Institute of Art's
2010 "Foot in the Door" exhibition in addition to my wanting
to create a statement of the need and desire to come together.
-
[The
4th MIA-FOOT IN THE DOOR EXHIBITION features more than 5,000 MN ARTISTS]
I am honored to have been included
in this historic and groundbreaking book. I too am inspired and moved by the depth of A People's History of the Hmong. Professor
Hillmer is a masterful composer, in that, his work captivates and compels readers. He truly portrays a complete account of
our people's experiences, successes, struggles, rituals and traditions. Through the captivating stories told by the Hmong people of young and old, from prominent figures to ordinary
citizens, A People's History of the Hmong painted a vivid picture of the Hmong experience and gave voices to people who
for too long didn't have one. He also shed light on events that often were left in the dark and captured the resilience of
these individuals as a Hmong people. This book provides answers to many of the questions I have long pondered. I was moved
by it and am sure future generations will too.
This exhibition highlights four Hennepin County muralists who inspire the members of
their communities, giving them a sense of unity and pride. These artists work to create accessible
public art, educate youth about the arts and address how to use murals as a tool against
graffiti.
[Featured
Artists: Seexeng Lee, Christopher
Harrison, Bethany Kalk, JimmyLongoria]
Project:Outside/Inside
Commissioning
Agency:Hennepin County Multicultural Arts Commission andForecast Public Art
Where:In theGallery
Space Level A at the Hennepin County Building
When:Oct. 21-Nov. 31, 2009
[11/4/2009]
Seexeng Lee Featured in Forecast Public Art's "Outdoor/Indoor
Art"
By Amy Doeun
For 30 years now Forecast Public Art has been providing resources to
artists and consumers of art as well. Its mission reads, "Our mission is to strengthen and advance the field of public
art locally, nationally and internationally by expanding participation, supporting artists, informing audiences and assisting
communities."
One way that Forecast does this is through an annual art exhibit in collaboration with Hennepin
County. A multicultural committee through the county helps to arrange the show. Melinda Childs, consultant and grants manager
for Forecast said of the artists selected, "They are trying to serve all their constituents throughout the county."
The theme for the exhibit, is "Outdoor/Indoor Art," and features artists from a variety of backgrounds including
African American, Latino, and South Pacific Islanders. The artists contributed both "indoor" and "outdoor"
pieces. Seexeng Lee is featured prominently.
Peter Brabson, an intern at Forecast and the curator for the exhibit
which is on display at the Hennepin County Government Building has been involved with the arts for a long time either as an
artist or curator. He said of art, "We all need to do something to make life more positive, art can create a dialogue
between cultures and ages and lead to discussions about other relevant matters."
One initiative supported
by this art exhibit is a drive to reduce graffiti. "The same skills can be used to go to school and become graphic designers.
It can lead to something that can be productive," Brabson said.
Brabson said that he found Seexeng Lee on
the internet and was impressed with his images.
Seexeng chose his outdoors piece "Immigration Emotion,"
"because I feel that we, as Americans, one of the greatest group of people on this earth could never be reminded enough
that this great country of ours came to fruition, because we are a country of immigrants. Immigrants with a great work ethic,
strong cultural heritage who seek new opportunity with all cylinders running. I also believe that we need to be reminded that
we all have traveled the same path, dealt with the same struggles and experienced the same sort of successes. The only thing
that separated us was generations, time and space."
The indoor pieces for Lee include, "US." He
said, "I included this piece to enhance this belief of mine (Proud of my heritage, proud to be an American, knows what
it means to be an American, love the ideals of individual and collective effort.) It serves as another reminder that "US"
stands for United States and or us - that we are who we are because it took all of us to make this nation of ours great, and
thus we ought to never forget it."
The exhibit will be on display through November 28th at the Hennepin County
Government building in downtown Minneapolis. For more information go to the Forecast website at www.forecastpublicart.org
Post
10.26.09
click on image to read full article
THE SOUTHERNER
The student newspaper of South High School . Minneapolis, Minnesota . October 2009
Post 10.21.09
click on image to see more photos
"Outside/Inside"
This exhibition highlights four Hennepin County muralists who inspire the members of
their communities, giving them a sense of unity and pride. These artists work to create accessible
public art, educate youth about the arts and address how to use murals as a tool against
graffiti.
[Featured
Artists: Seexeng Lee, Christopher
Harrison, Bethany Kalk, JimmyLongoria]
Project:Outside/Inside
Commissioning Agency:Hennepin County Multicultural Arts Commission andForecast Public Art
Where:In theGallery
Space Level A at the Hennepin County Building
When:Oct. 21-Nov. 28, 2009
Posted 9.27.09
"Reverence"
8'x12', consisted of 471 canvas tiled community art piece
Created by
HOPE Community Academy families, staff, and
friends
commemorating HOPE'S 10th Anniversary.
Created on September 26, 2009
Posted 8/22/2009
WALKER ART CENTERMINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN
Mural making and community
building with artists Seexeng Lee
artist Seexeng Lee, and the Walker co-presented an art workshop and dinner to celebrate community, family, and cultural
exchange. Asian American and Pacific Islander families along with members of the Walker’s Parent Advisory Group and
their families came together to create a tiled mural filled with symbols and words inspired by Hmong culture, the Walker Art
Center, and each individual’s creativity. The result: a powerful, colorful sum of parts.Seexeng, who’s a practicing artist and
teacher at South H.S., developed the overarching design on a series of 50 small square canvas tiles and asked participants
to select a tile that spoke to them, and fill it with their own symbols. Once the paintings were complete the families helped
themselves to a delicious buffet of food from Mango Thai, while Seexeng speedily dried and assembled the paintings onto a large plywood frame behind closed
doors so that the unveiling was, to quote Johnny Depp in Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory, “the best prize of all, a SURPRISE!”
Honored to have been a visiting artist at the
2009 PEACE CAMP, hosted by the Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality. To learn more about Wisdom Ways Center, Peace Camp and
or see more photos, please visit http://wisdomwayscenter.org/peacecamp.aspxENJOY!
Posted: 7.14.09
Have just got done creating this video of my trip to
the City of Wadena for the dedication of the Murals of MN. ENJOY!
Posted: 6.23.09
"Tradition-Bound"
8" x 10"x14", sculptural materials, spray
paint with 12kt white gold leaf highlights. June 2009 -------------- I was compelled to create this piece due to
these comments made by 2 of my fellow Hmong in You Tube on one of my video of a Qeej player-playing the Qeej in a more traditional
manner:
“I think this movement is great. If u can do this at funeral homes allot of people will praise u
on your technique. Especially the OG's who are there watching.”
“HAHAHH OG Qeej Movement STYLE hahaah!” --------------- I strongly believe that change is necessary for anything to remain viable, but changes that detract
itself from its origin, linage and or made of no substance are meaningless.
$3,250.00
Posted: 6.12.09
Seexeng Lee will be among forty artists to be recognized
Artists to be recognized in
Wadena’s Murals of Minnesota History dedication By Nancy Leasman
Twin Cities’ artists Dixon Bordiano, James Penfield, Brenda Taylor and Seexeng Lee will
be among the forty talented artists recognized on June 27 during the dedication of Wadena’s Murals of Minnesota History
Project. Over the last several years, volunteers and artists donated more than $300,000 in time, talent and labor to produce
95 murals on cement board. These panels have been installed throughout Wadena, a central Minnesota community with a population
around 4,000, and represent 1,000 years of Minnesota history. With edges cut to resemble interlocking pieces, the murals represent
more than 1, 475,000 square inches and constitute the world’s largest picture puzzle.
June 27 has been designated
as a day of tours, dedication and music to celebrate the completion of this project. A recognition program is scheduled at
5 p.m. at the Emporium in downtown Wadena. Bordiano worked on two of the murals. “I worked
on a solo mural that was based on aviation in Minnesota as well as a collaborative project with two other artists regarding
the legend of the Kensington runestone.”
“For both projects, a numerous amount of sketches were done,
and we drew upon images we found online and in books. For my own painting, I wanted to create a collage of different images
from different periods and advancements in the industry. I worked to develop a ground for my image, and considering that airmail
had a significant impact on Minnesota aviation, as NWA has been a major airline, and one of the first to use airmail, I found
it appropriate to use a vignette of an airmail envelope as my background. I wanted to create a dynamic composition that intertwined
the various developments in aviation.”
Bordiano worked with James Penfield and Brenda Taylor on a Viking
themed mural. “For the Viking mural, we discussed and exchanged ideas and images that we obtained in our research of
the runestone,” says Bordiano. “We found conflicting evidence, so we went with a more illustrative style to portray
the legend, rather than the actual historical facts. In essence, we wanted to create a storybook quality with our images and
tell a linear narrative. Interestingly enough, the image reads right to left, possibly alluding to the whimsy that surrounds
the myth (well, I don't really know if it's a myth or not).”
In addition to the collaborative work on the
Viking mural, James Penfield delved into the history of Fort Snelling and uncovered some less popular views of the fort. “I
was interested in painting Fort Snelling for a couple of reasons. I grew up very near the Fort and have toured its grounds
a number of times. Recently, however, its presence seems to inflict a different story. As I'm older, I drive by countless
protestors against the Fort's being, stationed on the high bridge (Hwy. 62). As I researched the story behind the Fort, I
found its construction to be one founded on mass killing and overtaking and the destruction of a culture(s). This warped my
idea of the Fort from how I knew it as a naive kid touring its ramparts, into an obstruction which would drive out and change
the Native American population there at that time (and now), for the bad, with guns, money and whiskey. I learned that Colonel
Snelling was an alcoholic, power hungry man, just to add to the now negatively viewed presence the Fort inflicts.”
Viewing history from a vantage point ill defined by the state’s history books enables a more realistic understanding
of the effects on the people of the time. Penfield continues.
“This research allowed to develop a different
vision of the Fort, which was great, being a visual artist. So the final product is intended to incite a different interpretation
in the viewer, using a more ‘modern’ style, one that looks deeper into the story, with a portrait of Josiah Snelling
juxtaposed by the Ojibwe crest.”
“I'm very grateful that I had this opportunity and feel as though
it allowed me to grow as an artist, both conceptually and visually,” says Penfield.
Patrick Henry High School
art teacher Seexang Lee, and his team, painted a Hmong history mural which is installed on the back on the Emporium. “I
was and still am humbled and honored to have been selected to take part in this ‘one of a kind art.’ I am sure
it is going to be a ‘history in the making’ project. The same sentiment was said and felt by my team. Our team
of six Hmong artists spent the entire summer to complete a 12 feet by 20 feet mural capturing scenes of the Hmong migration
to the United States. On the surface, it is about the Hmong, but underneath the surface, it is about all immigrants- our emotions
and experiences as we make our way to here.”
Local businesses, individuals and organizations donated materials,
time, labor and encouragement for the project. The Initiative Foundation, Five Wings Arts Council, Wadena Lion’s Club,
Wadena State Bank, and Mid-Central Savings Bank are among those supporters.
Dan Frank, the Initiative Foundation’s
Program Manager for Community Development says, “I think this is a great project on several levels, from an economic
advantage standpoint, a visual arts asset and as a community building activity,”
Dean Uselman, a member
of both the city council, when the program was initiated, and the Wadena Fire Department, appreciates the vision of the project’s
planners. “I think this is a very unique and creative project that will benefit Wadena for years to come. Many communities
have a mural or two but none that I am aware of, anywhere, have a collection like this. It really is an asset to market the
community.”
Shirley Uselman, Executive Director, Wadena Chamber of Commerce, has been in a position to observe
the effects of the project on the community. “The murals of Wadena not only bring in business, they offer travelers
a break and a chance to stretch their legs. While wandering the alleyways, many people take the time to stop not only at a
restaurant but in several of our businesses. Visitors comment about the feel of shopping in a small town and how helpful and
knowledgeable our merchants are. We receive numerous comments on the complexity and history of the murals and have had many
travelers stop just because they see them. With such a unique opportunity, we are weighing options and ideas for marketing
the mural project.”
James Penfield is excited about what the project can do for a small community as well
as the potential career opportunities that may develop for the artists whose work has gained exposure from the project. “The
concept behind this project is great, turning the small town of Wadena into a cohesive outdoor art gallery... genius. This
experience left me with a new passion for working creatively with other people, artists and non (artists), something I'll
pursue my entire life.”
All of those involved in the Murals of Minnesota History project applaud David Evert,
the visionary behind the project. Dixon Bordiano expresses that general feeling of appreciation, “I really thought that
Dave was doing something particularly interesting and beneficial to the community. I remember going to a restaurant and sitting
at a table while Dave conversed with a young boy who has a disability. It was at that point that I really started to believe
in what Dave was trying to accomplish in Wadena, and I feel proud to be a part of it.”
Source
from: Originally provided by Nancy Leasman, from wisper-wireless.com
Posted: 6.09.09
Cultural Perspectives: An Exhibit to Accompany the International Festival of Burnsville
The International
Festival of Burnsville and Burnsville Visual Arts Society are proud to present Cultural Perspectives: An Exhibit
to Accompany the International Festival of Burnsville at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Paintings, letterpress,
prints, sculpture, photography, ceramic, and textiles will display an assortment of glimpses into and perspectives of cultures
and countries around the world. Visit the floating markets in Bangkok, explore the architecture of Angkor Wat through traditional
Lao weaving, experience the excitement of a sailboat race in Panama, discover the significance of Tonantzin Talli (Mother
Earth) for the Mexihca culture, and much more in this truly diverse exhibit. The free and public opening reception and awards
ceremony for Cultural Perspectives will be held at the Burnsville Performing Art Center’s beautiful
2,000 square foot art gallery on Thursday, June 18, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Appetizers have been generously
donated by Stephano’s Italian Cuisine in Burnsville, music will be provided from 7:00 – 8:00 pm by Tre Corda Trio,
and the artists will be on hand to discuss their work. Cultural
Perspectives will also be open for an artist meet-and-greet
during the International Festival of Burnsville on Saturday, June 20, 2009 in the gallery from 3:30 – 5:00 pm.
Participating artists include
Bounxou Chanthraphone, Natalia Cornelius, Steven Edmundson, James Flint, Jean Fournier, John Heckman, Laddavanh Ladda Insixiengmay,
Seexeng Lee, Judy Leipnitz, Gustavo Lira, Shakun Maheshwari, Jan McLandsborough, Livia Mosanu, Gera Pobuda,
Deborah Ramos, Rabi Sanfo, John Shier, Robyn Stoller Awend, Jane Strauss, Linda Taylor, and Mary Trenkle.
THANK YOU HSO Members and Event Attendees for having gone
out of your way to put this event together plus making it warm and inviting. Forever grateful for your kind words and
hospitality! PIX of event are still yet to be added...please check back soon.
