Nikki Lee

Nikki Lee came to the United States in '94 to study in New York, and found herself completely intrigued by the different subcultures and social groups. In hopes of understanding and relating to these different communities, Lee studied the cultures to adopt their sense of style, slang and mannerisms. She then proceeded to immerse herself into these subcultures for weeks, even months, as a person of that community. I admire her courage and comfortable nature when dealing with a subject matter that is generally taboo and often likely to offend. Her work makes it difficult to ignore stereotypes because it was easy for her to become acquainted with a lifestyle completely unlike her own. She merely mimicked thier dress and attitude.

I've always been interested in issues that divide people, specifically those dealing with color and religion - yet, I've never found a way to comfortably make work about my concerns without coming across as racist or completely ignorant, which I fear I might have at some times, even though my intentions were the complete opposite... I feel that Lee has found a clever and appropiate way to discuss such issues without giving the impression that one social group is better then the other - each persona she takes on is represented and portrayed to be as equal to the next. I greatly respect her work, find her images to be amusing and discouraging all at the same time, and only wish I had the courage to attempt a project as risky and intriguing as hers.