This is a few pieces of artwork I’ve produced in recent years. Lady Gaga the fashion icon was someone I have projected myself onto. The hero-like figure, which I subconsciously idolized was the subject of my abstract piece.
![](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/1.-Lady-Gaga.jpg)
“Bond” was symbolic for the warmth and softness intimacy gives me. Yin Zhaohui’s use of colors and extreme close-ups influenced my work. I went back to fashion and was Gruau’s use of lines and colors, which enhanced the beauty of the female figure. My ideals for prettiness emerged as the subject matter; my artworks became a reflection of my aspiration for beauty.
![](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/2.DSC_0006-300x197.jpg)
My favorite piece “invasion of the beetles” was an embodiment of my fears. I looked at McQueen’s work inspired by Escher would convey my fear. He influenced my evolving beetles, which showed my fear for insects and suggests fear for change. I was also influenced by Persson’s washed effect, which I find feminine and contrasts with the details of the beetles that balances the painting.
![](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/12.DSC_0004-2.jpg)
My most recent work is about violence; which I enforce on myself when I am pressured, or when I feel isolated. I was influenced by Horn’s use of creating straps and colors, who is another influence of McQueen’s work.
![](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/14.DSC_0018.jpg)
Below are some experimental pieces with water color as well. I had explored with different styles of brush work for the emotion I want to convey.
![Doubt, Gouache on paper, 3 panels of 59.5 x 42, Oct 2014](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/8.DSC_0012-225x300.jpg)
![Doubt 3, Gouache on paper, 3 panels of 59.5 x 42, Oct 2014](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/DSC_0029-300x300.jpg)
![Jealousy, Gouache on paper, 59.8 x 41.8, Oct 2014](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/DSC_0032-215x300.jpg)
I’ve moved onto working digitally since then. This is my most recent piece with expressing beauty and pain. If you look closely, the colourful circles are snippets of frame from a plastic surgery video. I tried to bring in gruesome detail as a warning for media’s obsession with beauty.
![](https://blogs.ubc.ca/nicoleleekauer/files/2016/11/Nicole_Lee_Behind_my_porcelain_white_skin.jpg)