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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esmondcklee

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.

Finally getting around to an old (and new) project

Finally getting around to an old (and new) project. I always feel behind in everything but this is much needed time away from everything else. 🏍️🔧

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

Made these last mappings before HDDs toasted Perc

Made these last mappings before HDDs toasted
Percentage of first, second, and third generation and beyond. Immigrants include all backgrounds. First generations immigrants are at highest in Toronto's edge. First to settle means prime real estate and accumulated wealth passed on. Generational wealth and settlement timing are great advantages. @belowthecityart
#Toronto #ScarbTO #mapping #migration

Two HDDs, one the backup of other, containing over

Two HDDs, one the backup of other, containing over 15 years worth of work were fried. I'm looking at cost effective ways to revive them without spending thousands of dollars for data recovering. Hoping PCB and firmware swap by a small company will fix it. Hoping a lifetime of art isn't lost. Sigh.

I've been thinking of creating this map for over a

I've been thinking of creating this map for over a year and finally got to it, motivated by all the "we are in this together" narrative and completion of some recent research.
In Toronto, percentage of visible minorities are lowest in the centre and highest at the periphery. Median individual income drops off in similar pattern (second map). Not everyone has the same access. Structural forces are at play. Lots to say. More related maps to come. Created from 2016 census data.
#Toronto #ScarbTO #mapping

Though city parks play an important role in Toront

Though city parks play an important role in Toronto, all the informal greenery interwoven throughout the suburban landscape contribute to our daily experience and wellbeing. New ongoing work visualizing data @belowthecityart.
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#Scarborough #ScarbTO #mapping #Toronto

@belowthecityart #scarborough #Toronto

@belowthecityart #scarborough #Toronto

I went out for groceries today and disallowed my d

I went out for groceries today and disallowed my dad from coming along. Instead, I borrowed one of his "tools": here is his custom made egg carton carrier. He would have made a better architect than me had he been given the opportunity. Thanks to @tophotolaureate for sharing my 2018 project "Melon Carrier".

I'm the furthest from being an academic and writer

I'm the furthest from being an academic and writer, but curiosity and desire has brought me here and I'm proud of this. It's been almost 15 years since I wrote a paper. So great to see all the scholarly works out there. This is just the beginning! #Scarborough #ScarbTO

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