GR gallery is pleased to present ‘Passive. Aggression’, a solo exhibition of new paintings by self-taught artist Joseph Lee. ‘Passive. Aggression’ documents Lee’s time during 2020 – 2022. As his daily distractions dissipated under lockdown, he was forced to examine gaps, namely his liminality and inability to verbally communicate emotions, which made him unrecognizable to himself and others around him. Lee is both Korean and American, husband and son, actor and painter, passive and aggressive. Lee’s subject matters grapple with the way his liminality and thus, lack of a solid identity, began to impact the world he inhabited. The artist’s first instinct under duress was to isolate and paint.  During these years, the process of creating the works showcased in ‘Passive. Aggression’ was a salve. To finish a painting was not the intent. These works capture moments in Lee’s life where he deflected to his studio in fear and uncertainty. At the time of inception, these paintings were the best representations of what words escaped him, to convey – in composition – what he was unable to articulate. They are a line of expression uninterrupted. ‘Passive. Aggression’ is a collection of the artist’s self-reflections, love letters, & apologies translated onto canvas.

GR gallery is excited to host “Passive. Aggression”, the first solo exhibition of Joseph Lee with the gallery, after former collaborations, and in general the artist’s first one in nearly 3 years. A total of 14 artworks in various dimension, executed with the artist’s signature technique, will be exhibited.
Opening reception: Thursday September 8th, 6:00pm – 8:30pm ET (Exhibition Dates: September 09 – October 1st , 2022).  Members of the press can contact GR gallery in advance to schedule a private viewing and/or an interview with the artist before the exhibition is officially open.
Joseph Lee will attend the opening event.
Visitors who want to attend the opening can RSVP by contacting the gallery.

GR Gallery, 255 Bowery (between Houston & Stanton) New York, NY 10002 |  info@gr-gallery.com | tel: +1 212 273 2900