J Jie Li

J. Jie Li is a New York-based contemporary artist whose work explores the spiritual and emotional landscapes of human existence—suffering, desire, loss, and the elusive search for inner peace. Known for her evocative visual language, she weaves philosophical inquiry into layered watercolor and mixed-media compositions that bridge abstraction and symbolism. Her paintings are not merely visual depictions, but meditations—a dialogue between herself and the unseen forces that shape our lives.

After earning her BFA from Parsons School of Design, J. Jie Li transitioned from a successful career in fashion to fully embrace fine art. Guided by an intuitive force that feels both ancient and ineffable, her creative path has become more than expression—it is a calling. Through painting, she channels a personal and philosophical search for meaning, one shaped by the teachings of Zen Buddhism, Daoism, and Arthur Schopenhauer.

Schopenhauer’s vision of life as driven by relentless desire and inevitable suffering resonates deeply in her process. Her work strips away ornamentation to reveal the raw, often painful truths beneath. Through earth tones, fragmented forms, and light emerging from darkness, she explores the roots of human anxiety and res...

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Parsons School of Design, New York, USA

Professional Memberships

• Board Member and Signature Member, Watercolor USA Honor Society (WHS)
• Signature Member, American Artists Professional League (AAPL)

Solo Exhibitions (Selected)
2025 —Whispers Through the Veil: Reflections on the Inner Horizon, Museo de la Semana Santa de Hellin, Spain
2024 — The Appearance, La Casa Negra & Bienal Internacional de Caudete, Spain
2024 — Behind the Appearance, La Asunción Cultural Center, Albacete, Spain
2023 — Behind the Appearance, Asociacion De Artistas Cadmio, Spain
2023 — Behind the Appearance, Casa de Cultura de Caudete, Spain
2022 — Behind the Appearance, Centro Cultura Gomez Tortosa, Spain
2020 — Ignited (Two-Artist Exhibition), Ormond Memorial Art Museum, Florida, USA

Group Exhibitions (Selected)
2026
International Watercolour Masters 2026, Lilleshall Hall, Shropshire, England
2025
Watercolor USA 2025, Spiva Arts Center, USA
Nicoleta Gallery, Berlin, Germany
38th Annual Northern National Art Competition, USA
Thomson Gallery, Zug, Switzerland
Art Expo New York 2025
Andakulova Gallery, Dubai, UAE
2024
Watercolor Now, Downing Museum, USA
RA Summer Exhibition (Shortlisted), Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK
Metro Montage XXIV, Marietta Cobb Museum of Art, USA
Watercolor USA 2024, Springfield Art Museum, USA
International Online Spring Exhibition, San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild, USA
Yellowstone Art Auction 56” and Exhibition, Yell...