Born in 1963 in Singapore, Justin Lee received a diploma in fine art from Lasalle College of the Arts in 1999. Lee uses pop art as a means to pit Asian values against 21st-century consumerism in an era dominated by capitalism. Since his first solo exhibition in 2003, he has actively participated in numerous other group exhibitions in Singapore. In 2004, he participated in the Venice Biennale, 9th International Architecture Exhibition, Italy.In ‘Opera Series: Let's Dance (Male)’ Lee references Chinese opera, a vanishing artform, but gives it new meaning through a different medium – painting. At the same time, the figure also refers to the tradition of having a pair of door gods who stand guard and keep watch over a household. This series of works harks back to days in the past when sculptural ornaments and figurines celebrating traditional Chinese arts such as opera were a common sight in well-to-do households.
