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ABOUT KENY LEE

Keny Lee is an Australian painter and writer who creates work about healing and hope. Born Lee Powell a.k.a Keny, he graduated from Oxford on full scholarship with distinction, earning a Masters of Science before building global tech companies and developing the multi-awarding winning software versions of Scrivener and Scapple for Windows.

In 2022, he followed a deeper calling. He sold his companies, picked up a paintbrush, and discovered that creating art could mend what words couldn't reach.

His paintings are bold, colorful, and hopeful. He explores archetypes and faces—his way of making sense of what it means to heal and become who you actually are.

Based in Melbourne, his work connects with people seeking transformation and meaning. Author of manOS: An Operating System for Authentic Masculinity (launching 28th June 2025)—sharing the vital lessons he needed along his path with accomplished men who still feel disconnected despite world success.

Keny's art reminds us that hope is always possible, and that we're called to align with our divine purpose and leave a legacy of authenticity—in the silence, we hear the voice that wants the best for us, calling us to become who we truly are.

2025 Archibald Prize Entry

I’ve sought to capture the delicate interplay between shadow and light—both the literal contrasts on the canvas and the metaphorical ones within our inner world. The left half of the self-portrait, cloaked in darkness with lunar references, reflects the deep, often unspoken realm of one’s past fears and inherited beliefs. On the right, the canvas opens into a subtler brightness and hidden celestial hints, suggesting the gradual emergence of hope and renewed identity.

Running down the center is a translucent gold seam that speaks to the idea of embracing imperfections and scars, reminiscent of the kintsugi tradition where cracks are mended with precious metal. It is a quiet reminder that we are, in essence, the sum of our experiences—both painful and illuminating. Over the heart, I’ve shaped a lion-flower motif in soft crimson tones, symbolizing courage and growth. This abstracted “lion heart” underscores the conviction that, when nurtured, even the wildest parts of ourselves can flourish into something both powerful and gentle.

I approached this piece as a personal excavation—an exploration of identity, resilience, and the unfolding journey of self-discovery. Yet I hope it remains open to broader interpretation; each viewer may see in it a reflection of their own triumphs, vulnerabilities, and yearnings. At its core, Eclipse of Self speaks to the quiet transformations we undergo when we dare to face our limitations with honesty and emerge with an expanded sense of who we can become.

Historically, the Archibald Prize honors portraiture that not only captures a likeness but resonates with genuine narrative. My intention here is to present a moment in time—a liminal space where darkness and light meet—inviting others to consider the possibility that within our fractured layers, something vital can always take root and grow.

By weaving together these subtle symbols—the whisper of celestial bodies, the gold seam of renewal, and the lion-flower heart of courage—I’ve aimed to create a portrait that offers both personal truth and universal reflection, allowing each viewer to find a part of their own story in its unfolding.

Archibald Entry 2024 - in honour of a good mate, mentor and great Australian Artist - John 'Mort' Murray. 2m by 1m.