Joseph Lee Animates Impasto Portraits in First NFT Collection

Available on MakersPlace.

NFT
455 1 Comments
Save

Joseph Lee is the Los Angeles-based artist and actor best known for his heavily-layered portraits that hide the facial expressions and details of his various subjects. Oftentimes, however, his abstract impasto portraits feature subtle hints of an eye, nose or ear between colorful brushstrokes.

Lee recently launched his first NFT collection on MakersPlace, featuring animated versions of some of his well-known original paintings. One of the pieces features the artist’s take on Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring masterwork.

“As artists, we can argue that we’re all derivatives of the Old Masters,” said Lee to HYPEBEAST. ”The art world evolves and reacts – it’s in constant motion. As a painter, I’m curious about where the fine line between being a derivative and staying authentic to your own pursuits, is. Perhaps one invariably precedes the other. I’ve channeled these thoughts into studying and deconstructing the Girl with a Pearl Earring.  Unlike the classic, the earring swings, like a pendulum between old and new or between past and present.”

Lee is currently purveying three one of one editions of his tokenized paintings on MakersPlace which are available to bid on now.

In other NFT stories, the “Disaster Girl” meme was sold as an NFT for nearly $500,000 USD.

Read Full Article
Text By
Share this article
Keith Estiler Managing Editor, Hypeart

Keith Estiler is a New York-born curator, writer, and the Managing Editor of Hypeart, the contemporary art arm of Hypebeast. Based in NYC, Keith heads up editorial strategy at the intersection of contemporary art and culture, capturing the icons and outliers of both the local and international scenes. He has curated exhibitions worldwide, dedicated to championing the emerging voices and subcultures currently redefining contemporary visual culture.

What to Read Next

Buffer Filters Spike Lee's ‘Do the Right Thing’ Into a Four-Tee Graphic Collection
Fashion

Buffer Filters Spike Lee's ‘Do the Right Thing’ Into a Four-Tee Graphic Collection

A towel, tray and lighter round out the drop as the label channels the film’s Brooklyn heat through its own graphic language.

Spike Lee and David Byrne’s ‘AMERICAN UTOPIA’ Is Returning to Theaters in 4K
Entertainment

Spike Lee and David Byrne’s ‘AMERICAN UTOPIA’ Is Returning to Theaters in 4K

For one night only.

Spike Lee Is Launching a Film Festival in New York
Art

Spike Lee Is Launching a Film Festival in New York

And classically, it’s all about Brooklyn.


Bottega Veneta And Kwangho Lee Are a Match Made in Heaven
Design

Bottega Veneta And Kwangho Lee Are a Match Made in Heaven

We sat down with the Seoul-based designer to hear how he transformed the brand’s signature Intrecciato at an architectural scale.

Marvel Teases First Clips of ‘Eternals’ and Drops Release Dates for Upcoming Films
Entertainment

Marvel Teases First Clips of ‘Eternals’ and Drops Release Dates for Upcoming Films

Featuring “Black Widow” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Check Out This Rolex Datejust With a Royal Saudi Arabian Police Force Dial
Watches

Check Out This Rolex Datejust With a Royal Saudi Arabian Police Force Dial

Featuring a distinct crest at the 6 o’clock position.

This Reebok Answer IV Is an Inverted Take On a Classic Colorway
Footwear

This Reebok Answer IV Is an Inverted Take On a Classic Colorway

Namely the white/black pair Allen Iverson wore during a memorable moment in the 2001 NBA Finals.

Jason REVOK Crafts Colorful Assemblage Work to Support Innocent Project
Art

Jason REVOK Crafts Colorful Assemblage Work to Support Innocent Project

A charity piece to raise funds for exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals.

AMBUSH Drops Nostalgic Kendama for Children's Day In Japan
Toys

AMBUSH Drops Nostalgic Kendama for Children's Day In Japan

In celebration of the toy’s 100th anniversary.

YOSHIROTTEN's Graphics Emboldened on New Ceramics Collection
Design

YOSHIROTTEN's Graphics Emboldened on New Ceramics Collection

Crafted using a traditional 17th-century technique.


Nike's Dunk Low Disrupt "Kid at Heart" Is Full of Childlike Joy
Footwear

Nike's Dunk Low Disrupt "Kid at Heart" Is Full of Childlike Joy

Thanks to its bright color scheme and sticker-like graphics.

Listings: You Can Now Buy Steve McQueen's Malibu Beach Home
Design

Listings: You Can Now Buy Steve McQueen's Malibu Beach Home

Listed at $12,200,000 USD.

Unboxing: INSTAX Invites You to Put Your Own Creative Spin With New INSTAX MINI 40
Fashion

Unboxing: INSTAX Invites You to Put Your Own Creative Spin With New INSTAX MINI 40

Presented by instax
A closer look at the latest addition to the popular instax family.

Rick Owens Revamps Dr. Martens' Iconic Footwear With Second Drop
Footwear

Rick Owens Revamps Dr. Martens' Iconic Footwear With Second Drop

Consisting of reworked takes on the 1460 Bex and 1461 Bex, plus a custom Gryphon sandal.

New Balance's Crowd Favorite 550 is Revealed in Three Clean Colorways
Footwear

New Balance's Crowd Favorite 550 is Revealed in Three Clean Colorways

The ‘89 classic is coming in “Sea Salt/Varsity Gold”, “Sea Salt/Burgundy” and “Sea Salt/Black”.

Nike Has an Air Max 97 "Puerto Rico" Colorway On the Way
Footwear

Nike Has an Air Max 97 "Puerto Rico" Colorway On the Way

“Silver Bullet” vibes but with a Boricua twist.

More ▾