Artist Statement

Hi, I’m Eddy Lee!

I’ve embarked on a journey of self-discovery, realizing that I’m an artist, and that my chosen form of artistic expression is storytelling. Before this realization, my path was diverse yet interconnected, encompassing psychology, business, teaching, development, permaculture, and sustainability.

My awakening began when I encountered Permaculture, which opened my eyes to the realms of environmental and cultural conservation, offering a fresh perspective on change through the lenses of care, creativity, and sustainability. This sparked my interest in documenting my permaculture projects through photography and blogging. Initially, my writing aimed to share insights into sustainable living.

Soon, I found myself gravitating toward a free-verse format for my blogs, which felt like a natural fit. I began crafting stories that delved into critical examinations of Filipino cultural practices and our “national psyche.” A pivotal moment occurred during a political protest in our country, prompting me to respond with satire. This marked the evolution of my writing from informative reporting to satirical short stories exploring politics and religion.

The third significant event was the devastating Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left countless people dead and homeless in its wake. Together with friends, I initiated expressive and experiential community engagement programs for survivors, spanning various demographics. These programs included art workshops for fire survivors, and eventually, arts-based environmental and cultural conservation workshops at our permaculture farm. Our multidisciplinary team of volunteers engaged with diverse groups, using forms of art such as movement, singing, drama, visual arts, and photography to teach permaculture principles and practices.

The fourth event, the outbreak of Covid-19, led to an extended period of quarantine at our permaculture farm, where my family, 24 cats, two dogs, and I found solace. During this time, we immersed ourselves in storytelling, embracing various mediums, including oral storytelling, fan fiction, photography, and culinary arts. Post-Covid, I found newfound inspiration, authoring numerous stories and venturing into podcasting. My narratives revolve around nature as a guiding teacher, emphasizing abundance, care, self-reliance, simplicity, and coexistence.

In summary, I’ve evolved into an arts and community engagement facilitator out of necessity, driven by the urgency to transform our way of life for the sake of environmental and cultural preservation. This transformation was catalyzed by the experiences of survivors from typhoons and fires, as well as the isolation imposed by Covid-19. However, storytelling remains my cultural and intentional choice. I tell stories about what I perceive, think, and feel through podcasts, photographs, and books. My aim is to engage communities, enabling them to recognize the world’s challenges and create solutions firmly rooted in nature, care, and respect.