"During my residency at Redbase Sydney Art Gallery, I am creating a new body of work that explores the tension between ornamentation and abstraction. My intention is to examine how cultural patterns contribute to geometric abstraction, rather than positioning them in opposition.

Building on my research into global histories of encounter and exchange, these paintings focus on the ‘four-petal flower’ motif and its diverse interpretations. Through this motif, I trace the connections between my Indonesian Chinese heritage, Pasifika culture, and the broader cultural histories of Asia and Europe. The four-petal or four-lobed form has been reimagined, adapted, and recontextualised by different cultures, and I am interested in the ways these cross-cultural exchanges transcend geographical and national boundaries. My work seeks to emphasise that our identities are not confined to a single culture; rather, we are shaped by multiple, interconnected cultural influences."

Rozana Lee, 2024