Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Moon-Joo Lee
"Roxbury" Massachusetts, Acrylic, Street Scene, Winner Student Prize

2002

About the Item

SALE ONE WEEK ONLY “Roxbury” is a stunning landscape of architecture and city deleterious. Moon-Joo Lee received her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Department of Painting in 2003 and received the schools' Top Prize with this painting. “Roxbury” subsequently was on display at Chrysler’s World Headquarters for a period of time. While at Cranbrook she began to document the ubiquitous construction sites skirting Detroit and similar cities across the country. The transitory urban fabric became her compelling subject, emblematic of fluctuating socio-economic conditions and a widespread culture of uncertainty. - Joe Houston of Cranbrook Art Museum. Lee’s painting “Roxbury” captures the cycle of construction, destruction and reconstruction that perpetually transforms the American city scene. In this image, a business that boasts NEW in its signage is already in the process of being destroyed. This could be a scene of bombing or environmental damage, but per Moon-Joo Lee’s aesthetics, the mountainous terrain of assorted refuse is there to remind the viewer that perhaps new and better do not necessarily mean that nor do they guarantee positive change. Lee's contemporary landscape underscores the extent to which nature has been supplanted by a manufactured environment, portraying rampant cultural transformation as a modern expression of manifest destiny. Moon-Joo Lee is one of the many well-known artists who attended The Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, that was designed by architect and faculty member, Eliel Saarinen who collaborated with Charles and Ray Eames on chair and furniture design. It is the country’s top ranked, graduate-only program in architecture, design and fine art. Each year, just 75 students are invited to study and live on the landmark Saarinen-designed campus which features: private studios, state-of-the art workshops, the renowned Cranbrook Art Museum and 300 acres of forests, lakes and streams, all a short drive from the city of Detroit. The focus at Cranbrook is on studio practice in one of ten disciplines including Architecture, 2D and 3D Design, Ceramics, Fiber, Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Print Media, and Sculpture. The program is anchored by celebrated Artists- and Designers-in-Residence, one for each discipline, all of whom live and practice on campus alongside the graduate students. Numerous creative artists who are alumni of Cranbrook include: Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, Jack Lenor Larsen, Donald Lipski, Duane Hanson, Nick Cave, Hani Rashid, George Nelson, Urban Jupena (Nationally recognized fiber artist), Artis Lane (the first African-American artist to have her sculpture, "Sojourner Truth," commissioned for the Emancipation Hall in the Capital Visitor Center in Washington DC), Cory Puhlman (televised Pastry Chef extraordinaire), Thom O’Connor (Lithographs), Paul Evans (Brutalist-inspired sculpted metal furnishings), Eugene Caples (small bronze images/abstract), Morris Brose (Bronze Sculptures), Herb Babcock (blown glass), Larry Butcher (mixed media), Lauren Anais Hussey (Abstract), Andrea Eis (film, photography), Lilian Swann Saarinen (Sculpture), Douglas Semivan (printmaker and sculptor), and Sonya Clark (assemblage/fiber art.)
  • Creator:
    Moon-Joo Lee
  • Creation Year:
    2002
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 72 in (182.88 cm)Width: 96 in (243.84 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Detroit, MI
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1286111209452
More From This SellerView All
  • "Structure Relief 254" Abstract Landscape Relief, Earth Tones
    Located in Detroit, MI
    "Structure Relief 254" is an abstract structural relief painted in earth tones. Throughout his life Barr was interested in engineering, structure, mathematics and nature. Although i...
    Category

    1980s Abstract Geometric Abstract Sculptures

    Materials

    Wood, Acrylic

  • Jennifer W. Reeves "Untitled" Abstract Iconic Striped Form
    By Jennifer Wynne Reeves
    Located in Detroit, MI
    SALE ONE WEEK ONLY Jennifer's "Untitled" piece appears to be a landscape with a colorful stripped form arising out of the grasses. It is an iconic image that she incorporates into her work. The following excerpt from her Artist Statement best describes her feeling about it: I stopped the slug imagery and started making purely abstract paintings. Eventually, abstract lines and forms evolved into “characters.” They lived in landscapes of a realistic sort. They were abstractions on a representational journey. It occurred to me that they were the slugs. I thought they had gone but they hadn’t. It occurred to me that they were the slugs. I thought they had gone but they hadn’t. They were the slugs transformed. Evolved slugs and broken out from their cocoons. They had become abstract “butterflies.” Jennifer Wynne Reeves was known for creating a body of paintings, drawings and photographs that speak to and confront formalist and humanist dilemmas. Beyond her achievements in the art world, Reeves enjoyed a considerable fan-base as a result of her astonishing Facebook presence where she chronicled and interwove her art and diaristic prose. Reeves solo exhibitions included Art & Public in Geneva, Gian Enzo Sperone in Rome; Max Protetch, Ramis Barquet and BravinLee programs, NYC. Reeves was also celebrated for her writing. She produced a graphic novel, The Anyway Ember and Soul Bolt, a book of images and prose. “Profoundly rewarding works” said LA Times writer, David Pagel, in a review her 2015 exhibition at CB1 Gallery. Reeves is a John Simon Guggenheim Fellow recipient. The following is an artist’s statement about her theory off work: “Twenty years ago, I called them slugs. In the beginning, they were like long lumps without arms or legs. Powerless. Difficult. Paralyzed. I thought maybe they were the symbols of sloth or depression or fear. They didn’t do anything. I wondered if I should stop making them? They were not beautiful. Nobody liked them. Nobody wanted to look at them. They were repellent and, worse, they were funny. I hated that. I wanted to be a “serious” artist. I was conflicted. I had to make the images that came to me but I was embarrassed. Maybe it wasn’t a fancy path but painting slugs was more honest than painting flowers (nothing against flower paintings, mind you). It came down to a moral choice. So, I determined to follow the slug road. Maybe it was a road that led somewhere? Or maybe not. After several years, I thought I hit a dead-end. I stopped the slug imagery and started making purely abstract paintings. Eventually, abstract lines and forms evolved into “characters.” They lived in landscapes of a realistic sort. They were abstractions on a representational journey. It occurred to me that they were the slugs. I thought they had gone but they hadn’t. It occurred to me that they were the slugs. I thought they had gone but they hadn’t. They were the slugs transformed. Evolved slugs and broken out from their cocoons. They had become abstract “butterflies.” Little kids liked them. I hated that. I wanted to be a “serious” artist. I’m not sure, exactly, who they are. They could be our conscience, our psychology, or simply the part inside us that yearns. They could be artists, modernists or the first of “us” that crawled out of the ocean. My best hunch is they are whatever it is that makes us want to make. I hope that’s a good thing and beautiful and seriously funny. Whatever the case, I’d like to know what it’s all about.” Jennifer Reeves...
    Category

    1990s Conceptual Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Acrylic, Wood

  • Henry Wallace Methven "Impressionist Landscape" Water, Trees Summer Reflection
    Located in Detroit, MI
    SALE ONE WEEK ONLY Impressionist Landscape" is an exquisitely peaceful late summer scene along the banks of a quiet river. The dappling yellow and green leaves and the spots of blue sky give the perfect impressionistic feel to the scene. Impressionism was a style or movement in painting originating in France in the 1860s, characterized by a concern with depicting the visual impression of the moment, especially in terms of the shifting effect of light and color. Methven captured this impression perfectly. It is as fresh today as when it was painted in 1902 so much so that you can almost hear the rustle of the leaves and see the shifting light. The gold gilt frame is original to the piece. Without the frame the piece measures 20 h x 16 w. It is signed by the artist. Methven was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the 1930's he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he painted with other area Chicago artists and showed at The Art Institute of Chicago. He spent his summers in Benton Harbor, Michigan, along Lake Michigan. He is known for his landscapes and water scenes. Michigan has numerous rivers, creeks and small lakes and Methven would have had a wealth of scenes to draw upon for his numerous oil paintings. He studied under Henry Fenton Spread who taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and later founded Spread's Art Academy. In 1902, this academy became the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. Spread was named the first president of the Chicago Society of Artists in 1889. Known primarily as a portraitist, Spread also painted landscape and genre scenes. Although a skilled artist, he did not exhibit widely; his primary legacy being fostering a love of art in Chicago. Fellow artist (and former student of Spread), Ralph Clarkson, the noted Chicago society portrait painter, stated that Spread' s "fine and advice formed the careers of the men who were not only to achieve prominence as artists, but to occupy leading places as art teachers". Harry Wallace Methven...
    Category

    Early 1900s Impressionist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • "Study of Mt. Vesuvius" Oil on Canvas, Blue Tones, Landscape
    By Joseph Stella
    Located in Detroit, MI
    SALE ONE WEEK ONLY “Study of Mt. Vesuvius" is a small intimate painting of an active volcano that has at times wrecked great destruction. As seen from a distance, it is a calm blue ...
    Category

    Late 20th Century American Modern Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Thomas M Nicholas Winter Country Scene Northeast Oil
    Located in Detroit, MI
    SALE ONE WEEK ONLY The untitled oil painting of a quiet country winter scene is a typical subject matter for T. M. Nicholas who is considered by many to be among the most prominent painter of his generation and specifically of the Rockport School of Art. Painting is signed in the lower right front corner. He grew up admiring the rugged beauty of the U.S. northeast coastline especially the landscapes of coastal New England. His father, esteemed painter, Tom Nicholas...
    Category

    1990s Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Helmut Gransow Landscape w/House & Barn "Springtime Reflections No. I"
    Located in Detroit, MI
    SALE ONE WEEK ONLY “Springtown Reflections No. I” depicts the moment of change in the weather moving from harsh winter to the first warming days of spring melting the snow. The title suggests a moment to pause in farm life before the coming spring planting and also suggests a time of mental reflection on life and work. The puddles of melting snow reflect the buildings in the scene. The muted colors and slightly off kilter structures cause the buildings to appear worn but sturdy, a soft idyllic scene of rural life. Helmut Gransow...
    Category

    1970s Modern Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Linen

You May Also Like
  • Large Abstract Celestial Painting Mixed Media on Canvas, Blues, Golds, White
    By Alex K. Mason
    Located in Versailles, KY
    Large Abstract Celestial Painting by Alex K. Mason. "Ultralight Beam". Acrylic, Gouache, Ink on Canvas, 48"H x 48"W x 3"D. Blues, Golds, Whites,...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Gouache, Canvas, Ink, Acrylic

  • Large Abstract Celestial Painting Mixed Media on Canvas Blues, Golds, Whites
    By Alex K. Mason
    Located in Versailles, KY
    Large Abstract Constellation Painting Alex K. Mason "Moonbow" Canvas Acrylic Gouache Ink, 48"H x 48"W x 3"D. Blues, Golds, White, 2021. This pai...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Ink, Acrylic, Gouache

  • Carmelo Niño, El Rapto, Acrylic on Canvas, 2019
    By Carmelo Niño
    Located in Miami, FL
    "El rapto" is a painting by Venezuelan artist Carmelo Niño (b. 1951). Since he first appeared in the local scene, with his early individual exhibitions at...
    Category

    2010s Contemporary Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Acrylic

  • Chelsea Hotel
    Located in SAINT-TROPEZ, FR
    "Chelsea Hotel" is a one of a kind original artwork. This is made with acrylic paint on canvas, already framed.
    Category

    Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Acrylic

  • Nature
    Located in Lagos, NG
    A landscape painting illustrating the beauty of nature
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Acrylic

  • "Ribbon" Extra-Large Contemporary Landscape Painting By American Martin Hoffman
    By Martin Hoffman
    Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
    Introducing "Ribbon," an extraordinary painting from the "Jersey Meadow Series" by Martin Hoffman in the 1970s. From the 1970s onwards, Hoffman's career showcased a masterful combination of beautiful painting techniques and challenging subject matter. This contemporary painting depicts an abandoned landscape with a hypnotic blue plastic ribbon at its center. Hoffman's landscape creates an almost mesmerizing effect, where the subject matter of destruction and decay is presented poetically. The warm shades of grey with hints of blue, brown, and purple create a limited yet powerful palette that enhances the melancholic beauty of the painting. The painting measures 151cm x 202cm / 59.5in x 79.5in and is signed 'Martin Hoffman' on the reverse side of the canvas. It is titled 'Ribbon' and is dated '73.' Additionally, the artist specifies that the painting is part of the 'Jersey Meadow Series.' It is ready to hang and comes with a silver-painted frame. The condition of the painting is great, with hardly any signs of wear. The frame has a few scratches but is otherwise in good condition. Artist Bio: Martin Hoffman was a versatile artist and illustrator, mostly known for his paintings. He was a self-taught painter and a gifted drummer who had worked as an art director for the Miami News, Graphic Arts Inc., and Steiner & Wall Advertising. In 1973, Martin Hoffman landed his first solo exhibition at the OK Harris...
    Category

    1970s Contemporary Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Acrylic

Recently Viewed

View All