To and From the Past
Lee Niemi
Corrine Woodman Gallery
January 10 – February 11, 2023
Reception: January 19, 2023
5:30 – 7:00 PM
To and From the Past is a continuation of work by local artist Lee Niemi about childhood, gender, and communication. Despite Niemi’s faulty memory, through his work he is able to connect with his youth.
In an attempt to embrace the past, Niemi was compelled to take an almost childlike approach to this exhibition. “My relationship with my art has shifted to be very similar to that I had as a young kid, and I’m learning to forget a lot of how I’ve been conditioned to act since then.”
By creating abstract self-portraits, Niemi clearly communicates and connects with others. With this work, Niemi explores themes of maturing, and defines his own identity after being scared for so long. “I’m mostly optimistic about the future now; I think my younger self would be as well given a glimpse of this future,” says Niemi.