Watercolor

2003

Length:77 x Width:56.5 (cm)

Lee Kun-Pei (1934-2012, Zhongshan, Guangdong) later relocated to Hong Kong. He graduated in 1959 from Taiwan Provincial Normal University (now National Taiwan Normal University). In his early years, Lee studied under Hong Kong painter Kan Mei-Tien (b. 1936), and after moving to Taiwan, he was mentored by watercolor master Ma Pai-Shui (1909-2003). Lee developed a distinctive approach to watercolor that blends expressive fluidity with formal clarity. After a brief teaching period in Hong Kong, he returned to Taiwan in 1968 to teach at his alma mater, where he remained until retiring in 2007. He also served as a juror for major competitions such as the National Art Exhibition, Taiyang Fine Arts Exhibition, and the Military Literature and Arts Awards. In addition to watercolor, Lee also worked in lithography and etching.
Woman and Totem depicts two nude models in a studio setting—one seated on the floor with her back to the viewer, the other reclining against a wooden chair. Rendered in transparent watercolor, the work features Lee’s signature style of fluid, moisture-rich brushwork that merges colors expressively rather than delineating precise contours. This technique reveals his unique artistic synthesis of Eastern and Western influences. Studio objects are only loosely suggested in the background, allowing the color treatment to emphasize the presence of the female figures. The composition, though spontaneous in appearance, demonstrates Lee’s remarkable precision in form and tonal control. The work is a quintessential example of his mature style, effortlessly balancing structure and atmosphere.

Accession number:20180100044