Musician & Visual Artist Gianni Lee Takes On His New Medium

If you or me had our work recognized by Rihanna, it'd probably mean an early retirement. Dust off our shoulders, our work here is done. But for Gianni Lee, the work is never done. It's constantly evolving, expanding, adapting. The Philly native has already made waves in the worlds of fashion and music - his streetwear label, Babylon Cartel, has been worn by Iggy Azalea, Jaden and Willow Smith, and Bad Gal Riri herself - but he's added yet another box to his creative checklist: fine art.

Why Won’t You Hear Me? is the multi-hyphenate's first solo exhibition, now on display at the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC) in Red Hook. Lee's paintings, like his music, are trippy, cool, and sure to gain a cult following. Providing a tongue-in-cheek commentary on our current political state, his art "takes place in a distant dystopian future" and pushes viewers to "recognize the problem and hold ourselves accountable for contributing the the solution." Socially aware and somewhat psychedelic, his debut residency is not only a must-see, but proof positive that Gianni Lee has a Midas touch when it comes to everything creative. We caught up with the man of the hour after his opening reception to talk cross pollination, inspiration, and the interesting new venture he's working on next. 

Why Won't You Hear Me? is on display through April 16, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition

[Photo by Ennis Chung]