Tuesday, 20 May 2008
10.00pm

This week, Artists At Work visits the world of Lindy Lee, one of Australia's leading contemporary artists. Lee's defining mark is not made with paint, but with the chaotic splat of hot black wax.

"For me it's no accident", explains Lee. "The splat is the combination of all the forces in the universe. It's the mark of everything that exists at one particular moment in time, never to be repeated."

Born in Brisbane to Chinese immigrant parents, Lee's work over the last 30 years has explored personal issues of diaspora and identity: how she fits into Australia, the art world - and the universe. As an artist who is also a Zen Buddhist, the questions: 'Who am I?' and 'Why am I here?' are all in her day's work.

In this documentary, the second in the Artists at Work series, Lee fulfils a long-held and heart-felt wish - to create works for the Sydney Zen Centre at rural Gorricks Run in the midwest of NSW. With Rohatsu, the anniversary of the Buddha's enlightenment only three weeks away, the impetus to finally put her thoughts into action becomes a reality.

The program begins with Lee travelling to a meditation retreat at Gorricks Run. After her stay, the ideas for six new artworks coalesce: two paintings for her Zen teachers; three banners for the Dojo (temple) and a Jukai cloth (a special ceremonial mat). The works are to be gifted by the artist as an act of gratitude to the community that has so fed her spiritual growth over 15 years of Zen practice.

Returning to her Sydney studio - an aptly chaotic environment complete with randomly splattered surfaces, paints, brushes, brightly hued panels and books full of Chinese dragons strewn about - the real work starts.

Artscape: Artists At Work: Lindy Lee will be repeated - ABC2 on Sunday, May 25 at 7:00pm