Adam Lee's practice ties together narratives of memory, imagination and transcendence. Through his works on canvas and paper, Lee builds worlds where allegory and atmosphere coalesce to suggest a highly personal language informed by collective folklore, mythologies and fragmented histories. His work references a wide range of sources including historical and family photographs, spiritual narratives, science and natural history, and contemporary music, film and literature to investigate aspects of the human condition in relation to ideas of temporal and supernatural worlds. These explorations find their physical manifestation in Lee's well-honed individual style, characterised by evocative landscapes and a contemporary take on tenebrism.
Lee has exhibited throughout Australia and internationally. He exhibited in Melbourne Now (2023) at NGV Australia, and the Kyneton Contemporary Art Triennial, Holding the Circle (2021). He has been a finalist in The Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize (2021, 2019, 2015, 2013); The Geelong Contemporary Art Prize (2014); National Works on Paper Prize exhibition (2014); The Churchie National Emerging Artist Award (2012, 2011); The Redlands Westpac Art Prize (2010); The Rick Amor Drawing Prize (2010); and The Sir John Sulman Prize (2010, 2006). His works are represented in public and private collections in Australia and internationally including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney and the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
Passage
2025
watercolour and ink on paper
201.5 × 135.0 cm
I am the Hermit, You Are the Cave, You Are the Wind, I am the Song
2025
STATION Gadigal/Sydney
Photo: Document Photography
Leviathan
2025
oil and synthetic polymer on canvas
195.0 × 270.0 cm
ʘJʘ
2024
Installation view
Photo: Simon Strong
Sight for the Song
2025
watercolour on paper
202.5 × 134.0 cm
Name of Names
2021
oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas
210.0 × 325.0 cm
Returning Song (Honeyeater)
2025
oil and synthetic polymer on canvas
61.0 × 46.0 cm
Passage
2024
oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas on board
27 × 18 cm
Two Trees, A Door
2025
watercolour and ink on paper
163.0 × 112.5 cm
Birdsong
2025
watercolour on paper
118.0 × 89.0 cm
Dry Bones, Crying Stones
2023
installation view
Photo: Document Photography
We Were Radiant
2021
oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas
210.0 × 160.0 cm
Spectre
2023
oil on linen on board
39.0 × 27.5 cm
Returning Song
2025
oil and synthetic polymer on canvas
195.0 × 144.5 cm
ʘJʘ
2024
Installation view
Photo: Simon Strong
Devotional Doubt
2021
watercolour on paper
118 × 87
Dove Tree
2023
oil on canvas on board
29.5 × 20.5 cm
O Restless Earth
2020
Installation view
Photo: Document Photography
Underland
2020
oil and synthetic polymer on canvas
165.0 × 150.0 cm
Elephant
2020
oil and synthetic polymer on canvas
61.0 × 46.0 cm
Mask
2023
oil on linen on board
42.0 × 54.5 cm
ʘJʘ
2024
Installation view
Photo: Simon Strong
World Sick Hermit
2021
oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas
41.0 × 30.5 cm
SENOBYRD (Years of Plague)
2021
oil and synthetic polymer paint on canvas
240 × 180 cm
Naarm / Melbourne
9 Ellis Street
South Yarra, Victoria 3141
Australia
+61 3 9826 2470
Gadigal / Sydney
91 Campbell Street
Surry Hills, New South Wales 2010
Australia
+61 2 9055 4688
