We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evelyn Lee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Evelyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Reflecting back, it’s pretty interesting. I always wanted to be a painter as a kid. In middle school, I often got caught doodling during study hours. Before settling on photography and filmmaking, I also dreamed of becoming a cartoonist, an archaeologist, or a forensic scientist. My dad, a photography enthusiast, tried teaching me the basics, but teenage me didn’t pay much attention.
In college, while majoring in media and communication design, I had a free-spirited semester that sparked my first photography project. It was probably then that I realized my passion for photography. The moment of true realization came in 2020, during Fellini’s centenary. I went to the cinema alone to watch “8½.” After the movie ended, I found myself sitting on a Taipei street in the middle of the night, deeply moved. Sometimes, there’s a moment when you feel guided by some unknown higher power. Maybe it was that day. I hadn’t fully grasped the film’s meaning at that time, but its impact was profound and undeniable. Later, during my years in art school, my love for images deepened further.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Evelyn, born in Taipei in 1998 and currently based in New York City. My journey into the creative world began with a childhood love for painting, which later evolved into a passion for photography and filmmaking. I majored in Media and Communication Design during my undergraduate studies. Recently, I completed my MFA degree in Photography, Media & Society at the Maryland Institute College of Art(MICA).
I find great joy in storytelling. For someone who’s introspective, images is a powerful way to express thoughts and emotions. I appreciate authenticity and sincerity in my work. While my paintings often explore surreal and abstract themes, my approach to photography is grounded in capturing what I see and feel. I believe in thorough preparation to capture genuine moments upfront while minimizing the need for excessive post-processing.
What sets me apart? I believe it’s our unique perspectives that define us, and creativity ultimately reflects one’s individuality. I resonate with Ang Lee’s view that “the most important thing for an artist is to honestly express yourself, confront your own confusion, and continuously discover and present it sincerely.” As an artist and creator, being able to articulate my vision, including my thoughts and emotions, and how they have evolved, is everything.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Since I turned 18, I’ve gone through some major life shifts that have really shaped who I am. Growing up, I was quite introverted, led me to solitary activities like reading and drawing, and feeling shy and hesitant about showing my work. One vivid memory is from the piano class where the room was full, and I ended up practicing on an exposed piano outside. I felt completely out of place and almost overwhelmed, despite the encouragement from my teachers. The person I am today would likely be unrecognizable to my past self — and that’s been a good thing.
A recent big pivot happened after I moved to the U.S. for grad school, especially during the production of my film project. First off, I’ve become more assertive in expressing myself and taking charge. While I never saw myself as a leader, managing responsibilities in directing, filming, and editing pushed me to step up. With the support of friends, I put together a small but diverse team from animation, film, fiber, and curation backgrounds.Ensuring the film’s success required me to speak up, sometimes loudly, to achieve the desired outcomes.
Secondly, I’ve learned to trust my team. In the past, frustration with collaborations often led me to work alone. This process compelled me to let go a bit and let experts handle what they do best. Together, we successfully completed the short film, and it’s been a blast.
Having this interview allows me to appreciate the subtle yet significant transformations I’ve undergone. Overall, I’ve embraced a more expansive and confident approach to life.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As mentioned earlier, for an artist or creator, the ability to honestly confront oneself often leads to receiving sincere feedback. One of the most precious rewards is the genuine connection of thoughts and emotions that art can evoke. It’s fulfilling when a writer captures emotions you couldn’t put into words, or a painter brings to life scenes you’ve only seen in your dream. And for me, the ultimate reward is completing a piece and telling myself, “You did a great job!”
Even better is when someone else appreciates it too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lamome10.com/
- Instagram: lamome10
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamome10/
- Other: [email protected]
Image Credits
additional photos:
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3) concept: DAN (@harrypoor_dan)
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5) performance art: Ciarra K. Walters (@ciarrakwalters)
6) fashion design: XIAO (@xiao_jiexin)
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8) photo: Tzuchi Su (@tzuchi.su)