victoria_lee_art_exibit-01 victoria_lee_art_exibit-02 victoria_lee_art_exibit-03 victoria_lee_art_exibit-04
victoria_lee_art_exibit-05 victoria_lee_art_exibit-06 victoria_lee_art_exibit-07 victoria_lee_art_exibit-08
victoria_lee_art_exibit-09 victoria_lee_art_exibit-10 victoria_lee_art_exibit-11 victoria_lee_art_exibit-12
victoria_lee_art_exibit-13 victoria_lee_art_exibit-14 victoria_lee_art_exibit-15 victoria_lee_art_exibit-16
victoria_lee_art_exibit-17 victoria_lee_art_exibit-18 victoria_lee_art_exibit-19 victoria_lee_art_exibit-20
page 1 of 4 Next
Victoria Len-Oi Lee Caribbean Art Exhibition Opening "Painting with my Mother - Tongue"
Date: Wednesday 9th May 2007
Location: Mango Room. 10-12 Kentish Town Road. London NW1 8NH
Promotions: Victoria Len-Oi
Click on thumbnails to see the big picture/entire gallery

You DON'T ONLY see TRINIS in London for a fete or a lime. Sometimes we come out to support one another, or better yet support a great cause.

The future is bright for a promising new Caribbean Artiste who made her much anticipated debut onto the London Art scene, in the very trendy Caribbean Restaurant, "The Mango Room" in Camden Town, located off of Kentish road next to the tube, and its Caribbean flavour and menu are welcome in a place more dominated by fluorescent coloured hair and body piercings. Go check out the food menu sometime if you are really anxious to taste a Caribbean Dish.

It was the perfect setting for Victoria Len-Oi Lee's exhibition "Painting with my Mother - Tongue", which featured an array of watercolours and photographs that were as vibrant as the crowd that came to see her work (we will explain the make up of the crowd soon enough, but for now let's focus on the art).

Her collection consisted mainly of unique Trinidadian scenes and landscapes fused with her distinctive Caribbean spin. Her use of watercolours was inspired by Trinidadian artist Harry Bryden, a medium she used to accurately depict Trinidad in the way she sees it - in the way she sees life. It is her aspiration to change how people perceive Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean at large. She was able to capture the subtle beauty of the island in its rawness, exposing its true splendour.

The twenty-three (23) year old artist was motivated by her experience with a near fatal illness. Two years ago, Lee was diagnosed with Hughes Syndrome, a blood disorder. It was specialists from the Hugh Syndrome Foundation who found a clot in the main vein from her stomach to her heart, rushed her to surgery and saved her life. This very gifted artist, in appreciation to those that saved her life will donate all proceeds from sales to the Foundation. "Paintings with my Mother - Tongue" will be on display at the Mango Rooms, Camden Town until the 8 July, 2007.

The event which was endorsed by the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London (well done in supporting the people! the nice people from Belgrave Square - the stoosh area!!), also treated patrons to guest musical performances from other promising talents, UK born Laura Critchley (who recently finished touring with the Sugababes) and fellow Trini John Blood (www.myspace.com/onejohnblood).

The pictures we took cannot encapsulate the brilliance of this young lady's work, so we advise you go see it yourself or buy one of the art works so you can have it home. As for the aforementioned crowd that attended the opening, guest were pleased with the complimentary wine being served, the beautiful people that came out to support, and well all the artistes' contributions that provided a wonderful setting for a best evening. No Guinness tonight ... strictly sparkling liquid ... hahahaha.

We really hope to see more events like this in the future. Check out Victoria Len-Oi at www.myspace.com/lenzoi.

Forward ever, backward never!

-- TJJ UK Team