About Esmond

Esmond Lee is an artist, photographer, and licensed architect who grew-up and still lives in Scarborough suburbs. As a second generation Chinese-Canadian, Lee explores long-term and intergenerational experiences of migration in the urban periphery. He is proud to create socially engaged and hyperlocal work that strengthens his community. See his personal works on the suburban immigrant experience at www.esmondlee.com

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Reach him at contact [at] belowthecity.art

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First Name Last Name Email Address Location

esmondcklee

#Repost @belowthecityart • • • • • • S

#Repost @belowthecityart
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Scarborough, On

#scarborough #scarbto #toronto

Instagram post 17867829397928209

Instagram post 17867829397928209

I have recently joined the Board of Directors at W

I have recently joined the Board of Directors at Whippersnapper Gallery. At first, I was reluctant to participate because of my own time constraints and hesitation in governance work. However, the gallery's unique size and location adjacent to Chinatown intrigued me. Finally, I became very excited after learning who the other boards members are and meeting online. I look forward to working with and learning from all these individuals. Please look out for exciting opportunities and programming at Whippersnapper!
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#toronto #art #chinatown

I'm designing and facilitating a 8-week youth work

I'm designing and facilitating a 8-week youth workshop on visual identity in collaboration with Workman Arts and Hong Fook, a Chinese mental health association. The struggles that the second generational youths have express resonate with my own childhood experiences. This lockdown under Covid has also exacerbated the existing intergenerational cultural conflicts. Growing up, my many hobbies and interests were crucial in helping me build confidence and sense of self. I hope to help the youths discovery and build upon their own through visual arts.

Full disclosure: I bought all these toys as an adult when I finally had money 😂

Freedom! Summited my final course paper. The last

Freedom! Summited my final course paper. The last six months have involved reading dozens and dozens, and dozens of peer reviewed research paper on global migration and settlement issues. This academic environment has really taught me to appreciate the vigor required in writing down every single line of argument or counterargument with proper research and citation. I have gained a clearer insight into the interconnected economic and political systems in recent history and how they shape global migration and settlement within each country. Taking a six month break to get back into production before finishing the rest of my courses next year. I look forward to diving deeper. This work is supported by the Ontario Arts Council Professional Development Grant.

#suburbs 🍕🏍️

Finally caved and bought a new phone. I am happy t

Finally caved and bought a new phone. I am happy to share with everyone better quality images. Here is the inaugural capture of my backyard bounty! 📸 🍆🌶️

I found out where all the chatter was coming from.

I found out where all the chatter was coming from.
Dad: "Oh, wow! Great photo! You should exhibit THIS."😂

Can't build a high-end computer these days without

Can't build a high-end computer these days without it looking like some cyberpunk rave scene. I have had a series of terrible hardware failures that put me back almost two months from research and creation but I'm almost back at it.

I once used this fake $20 bill without knowing. I

I once used this fake $20 bill without knowing. I have vague memory of where it came from. The cashier handed it back promptly: "this is fake". I was embarrassed. But I was never scared. That innocent hiccup passed without issue because of a privilege I held. #GeorgeFloyd

15-20min. commutes vs 60+ min. commutes (car + pub

15-20min. commutes vs 60+ min. commutes (car + public transit). For precarious labourers who can't WFH and depend on public transit, they exposed to danger for longer before even getting to work. @belowthecityart
#Toronto #mapping

City of Toronto just released mapping of all Covid

City of Toronto just released mapping of all Covid cases. Not surprisingly, majority of cases are in the furthest corners of the suburbs where the poorest, racialized groups reside. @belowthecityart https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-latest-city-of-toronto-news/covid-19-status-of-cases-in-toronto/ #Toronto #suburbs

In 2017, I began a project of buying my dad 35mm c

In 2017, I began a project of buying my dad 35mm colour film for his travels around the world. In my practice exploring experiences of migration, I have ethnical concerns with photographing my own family. Instead, I decided it was best for him to have authorship of his own depiction and legacy. Looking at his photographs have also given me pleasure of feeling more connected to him. His upcoming summer trip is cancelled but he will be back at it soon. Follow this new ongoing project and find out more at @coolasianbaba and coolasianbaba.art I am also testing the theory that he will be more IG famous than me 😎 .
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#film #35mm #scarbTO #Toronto

With the PCB swap, I was able to recovery the newe

With the PCB swap, I was able to recovery the newer HDD where I backed-up critical work. Here's one of my favourite photos to celebrate a small victory. I regret not backing up the rest of my data, which includes the recent mapping work 😢
#ScarbTO #Toronto

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