The Commander

Date2019

Medium6 color reduction woodcut

DimensionsImage Size: 37 × 26 in. (94 × 66 cm) Paper Size: 43 × 30 in. (109.2 × 76.2 cm) Framed Size: 50 × 39 in. (127 × 99.1 cm)

Credit LineDC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Collection

Object numberDCCAH2020.027.2

ClassificationsPrints

Locations

Councilmember Christina Henderson (1350 Penn Ave NW, 402)

DescriptionThe Commander belongs to a series of woodcuts attempting to evoke the different moments of our competitive lives, from hiding away to preparing for a fight. In her work, Jun Lee acknowledges an individual’s willingness to continue struggling after defeat, to compete despite the loss, suffering, effort, and sacrifice. She uses animals, including birds, as symbols of desire and fear, with the rooster symbolizing one that can anticipate the demands of the fight with pride and confidence. Six color reduction woodcut is a multi-step process that involves printing a series of colors from the same woodcut, altering the carving between each color. For her prints, Lee uses cherry veneer plywood, Japanese wood carving tools, and oil-based printing ink.