Painful Revelations

P H O T O G R A P H Y

Painful Revelations marks the first-anniversary commemoration for the renowned photographer and artist Julian Lee. Lee was diagnosed with peritoneal carcinoma seven years ago, but it had not posed any hindrance to his creative endeavour, until even his last days, when he briefly mentioned to his protégé, Riddick Douglas Ning, his wish to commence a photographic project with C AllStar, a Hong Kong vocal group. Yet the connection between Lee and the group failed to be established before Lee bade farewell to the world. The very idea of completing Lee’s remnant wish, trivial as it may appear, had been lingering in Ning’s mind until today.

The project Painful Revelations was first presented at Gallery 27 in Hong Kong. The intimate setting of Gallery 27 allowed audiences to experience the series at a quiet and reflective pace. The exhibition served as the public debut of the project and offered a space for dialogue about collaboration, creative process and the legacy of Julian Lee.

Riddick Douglas Ning created a limited box set that expands the emotional dimension of the work. The set contains thirteen photographs that present the project’s themes through a sequence of intimate and reflective images. A DVD is included in the box, featuring an extended interview with C AllStars and the photographers. The interview documents their thoughts about the collaboration, their personal responses to the project and their reflections on Julian Lee. The physical form of the box set invites a slower engagement with the material and encourages viewers to experience the work as both a visual and tactile encounter.

Year

2015

Publication

Painful Revelations Box Set

Exhibited in

Painful Revelations, 15 – 30 Oct 2015, Gallery 27, Hong Kong

Featured in
City Magazine issue Oct/2015, HK

Magazine P issue Oct/2015, HK