Marianas Eye Institute opens new haven for artists

Marianas Eye Institute held a brief opening ceremony yesterday morning for the unveiling of an art exhibit featuring the paintings of Korean artist Jung Ae Lee.

Resident ophthalmologist Dr. David Khorram said he thought of housing local artists’ masterpieces in his clinic during this year’s Flame Tree Arts Festival, where he saw some artworks that “truly inspired” him.

Khorram said he talked to some artists during the festival and proposed exhibiting their work. He said he sent letters to all the artists who participated in the festival.

“This is our way of giving something back to the community,” he said.

Putting up exhibits in his clinic, he said, will make the eye clinic the window of the community’s soul. “[The] eye sees art, eye sees beauty,” he said.

His featured artist for the next two months is Lee, who has been painting on Saipan for the past six years. Khorram said there are other artists already lined up for the succeeding exhibits.

Lee, already in her 60s, said her favorite subject is nature, tropical flowers and Saipan sceneries, in particular. She graduated from the College of Fine Arts of Seoul University in South Korea. She then pursued further studies in Silk Printing in Los Angeles, California.

She said the type of paintings she creates leans more toward the oriental arts executed in special water-based paints. Her favorite subject is bamboo executed in the “Sumi-e” style—painting in black ink on white paper that makes the artwork simple, elegant and serene.

Lee said this type of painting boasts of simplicity, which is the most outstanding characteristic of “Sumi-e.” Five of her paintings are among the 17 paintings currently displayed at the eye institute.

Lee’s paintings have been widely featured, including exhibits at the National Art Exhibitions and the Han Guk Fine Arts Group in Seoul, the Hilton Gallery and the Governor’s House on Guam, and the Rainbow Art Gallery and Pacific Asian Museum in Los Angeles.

Khorram said all paintings are for sale and proceeds will go directly to the artist. Khorram is inviting everyone to come and visit the art exhibit in the clinic.

Lee’s friends from Korea and some members of the Korean groups in the CNMI attended the ceremony yesterday.