Exhibitions

• 2024 Pasadena, June 26 - August 2 at the Boone Family Art Gallery and the V Gallery on PCC Campus

• 2023 November 2-3, Pakistan National Council on the Arts

In October of 2023 I worked with women from the International Islamic University, Islamabad on a project about women’s lives in Pakistan. The exhibit of photos, interviews and videos opened at the Pakistan National Council on the Arts on 2 November by Minister Jamal Shah, Pakistan Minister of Arts and Culture.

Women Without Borders: A Visual Study of Lives of Women in Pakistan is the result of a ten year relationship with Dr. Munazza Yaqoob and the women of the Critical Thinking Forum of the International Islamic University, Islamabad. 

In October, 2023 we collaborated on a five week journey in Pakistan from the mountains of Chitral to the desert of Umerkot and I interviewed women about feminism, patriarchy, the women's movement, and their ideas for the future. It was an extraordinary experience.

My relationships with the women of the IIUI is not only important to me, but it is essential to my understanding of women’s rights here in the United States and globally. 

Women have gained rights and power throughout the 20th century and now we are experiencing reversal. Patriarchy lives within us, it survives.

I believe that women must challenge restrictive patriarchal norms locally and globally. 

I am certain we can create powerful networks of women. My friendships with the women of the Critical Thinking Forum at the IIUI remind me that we are connected across our borders. Our friendships strengthen us globally.

Thanks to the Dahlen Family of Pasadena for their support and generosity that enabled the travel to Pakistan in 2023 to create this exhibit.

Thank you to Pasadena City College and the United Nations Association, Pasadena for their generous support. 

Thank you to the International Islamic University, Islamabad, the Critical Thinking Forum, the women who participated in the interviews, and Behbud Crafts. They all deserve my utmost appreciation for their time, generosity and infinite support. - Jennifer Hall Lee

Click for letter by Behbud

Testimonials: "I appreciate the work, I appreciate the art and certainly the chronicling of life ...it' so important for our community to reach out to other parts of the world and share our cultures, share  our food and share our history because our futures are so intertwined.. This is a pivotal moment in time to be engaging in arts, in culture,  and sharing the democracy. Congratulations and thank you for bringing terrific work and art to Pasadena and Pasadena City College."

- Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo

It was a great honor and pleasure to witness the “Women Without Borders: A Visual Study of Pakistani Women’s Lives” exhibit.  I was deeply impressed by the art displays and even more so by the powerful stories behind them.  Each piece was captivating and thought-provoking.  The innovative method of projecting pictures on fabric drew me into the moments conveyed, creating a truly immersive experience.  –Jabari Williams

“Walking through this exhibit is the kind of experience that keeps you thinking about it long after you’re gone.” - Mckenna Dahlen

“…powerful and impressive. I was reminded of the stark differences in women’s rights in Pakistan versus the United States and how much more needs to be done to achieve true equality for women across the world…As Ms. Hall Lee recounted, when she asked one woman what she perceived to be an advantage of being a woman in the U.S., she responded, "Women in the U.S. have the freedom to roam." This, in my mind, was a profound statement that solidified for me the important work Ms. Hall Lee is doing in giving voice to women across the world and facilitating cultural exchanges. -Dr. Brian McDonald

"The exhibit was mesmerizing and I think the medium you chose to exhibit was perfect. Really wonderful exhibit! I’ve never felt so simultaneously depressed and inspired. Congratulations." - Syd Smith

Press: https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2024/07/05/altadena-filmmakers-new-exhibit-sheds-light-on-womens-lives-in-pakistan/

Distributed by Women Make Movies, Feminist: Stories won Best of the Fest for Documentary at the Women's International Film Festival. It has been shown around the world including Islamabad, Pakistan. In 2019 clips from the film were a part of the John & Yoko exhibit at the Museum of Liverpool

"...it felt like watching something documentary and experimental… Great stuff! Looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts." - Becky Sharpe, UK

 "I really know nothing about feminism but three quarters of the way through the film I found myself in tears to see so many clear-sighted, clear-speaking women comfortable in their ‘self’ and all speaking on the theme of standing up for women." - Joanne Woolger, UK

Website for purchase: https://www.wmm.com/catalog/film/feminist-stories-from-womens-liberation/

Shot in Altadena this interview with photographer Boyd Lewis was created for the Atlanta Press Club in 2021. Lewis was a photographer in Mississippi, Alabama and then in Atlanta, Georgia during the Civil Rights Movement. He worked for black owned newspapers.

 https://youtu.be/OSgD3_F2B18

https://www.facebook.com/TheAtlantaPressClub/videos/254299074599430

Documentary short, 3 minutes 45 seconds

"The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy is tremendously grateful to Jennifer Lee for her vision and execution of the project to promote awareness of our campaign to preserveCottonwood Canyon.  She came up with a wonderful idea for a girl scout troop to create awareness by filming the beauty of the canyon and having the girls articulate the need to conserve it's natural open space as part of a wildlife corridor.  She then guided them, and us, through the process of the film's creation - streamlining the process with great efficiency.  The finished product is priceless, and will be the cornerstone of our fundraising campaign going forward." - Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy  2016