Cecil W. Lee
What is Computer-Evolved Digital Composition?
Coined by artist Cecil W. Lee, Computer-Evolved Digital Composition is an artistic process that integrates photography, painting, assemblage, and digitally created elements into layered, evolving digital works. Unlike traditional digital painting or AI-generated imagery that may rely heavily on automation or singular tools, this process is driven by artistic intuition and human selection. The computer is not a shortcut. It is a creative partner.
Each composition begins with a foundational image: a photograph, a painting, a mixed-media construction, or a digitally constructed form. From there, the image undergoes a multi-stage refinement process that may span months or even years. During this evolution, it is altered, restructured, and reimagined using an array of digital techniques. While AI may be used as a rendering tool, it does not replace the artist's role. It serves as one part of a larger, intentional process that adds possibility but never determines authorship.
At its core, Computer-Evolved Digital Composition represents the intersection of tradition and technology. It preserves the tactile, emotional, and perceptual qualities of hand-made art while exploring the transformative potential of digital tools. The process is marked by continual change, patience, and a willingness to rethink and revisit. Every piece is the result of layered attention, mental perseverance, and the steady refinement of a personal vision.
Who is Cecil W. Lee?
Cecil W. Lee (C. Lee) is an African American artist based in West Harlem, New York. A self-taught practitioner with decades of experience in photography, painting, and digital technology, his work blends the tactile with the algorithmic, the intuitive with the technical.
Lee coined the term Computer-Evolved Digital Composition to describe his artistic method, which fuses traditional art practices with contemporary digital processes. His pieces often begin with something real, such as a photograph he has taken, a canvas he has painted, or a physical assemblage he has constructed. Through a process of digital manipulation, layering, and enhancement, these works evolve into hybrid compositions that reflect both modernity and memory.
His artistic style ranges from abstraction to figuration, often incorporating collage and experimental forms. Whether addressing inner states of being, imagined futures, or cultural legacies, Lee’s work is known for its conceptual range, bold visual language, and deep engagement with both human and technological subjects. His practice positions the artist at the center of creation, not the algorithm, challenging assumptions about authorship in the digital age.