Moi (left) hopes Lee’s story will inspire others to see people with disabilities as creative and capable. Photos: Instagram/Artistjanetlee
Art was an important part of Janet Lee’s life as she lived with epilepsy and an intellectual disability.
As her mother, Joyce Moi noticed her youngest daughter’s love for art from a very young age, and encouraged her to pursue it.
Sadly, Lee passed away from ovarian cancer at the age of 33 in 2023.
“Art became Janet’s voice. Living with epilepsy and an intellectual disability meant that expressing emotions or complex thoughts through words wasn’t always easy for her.
“But with colours, she could say everything she felt - joy, calm, sadness and hope - without needing to explain. Painting became her safe space, a world without rules or limitations,” shared Moi, 69, an entrepreneur.
Lee’s painting Beneath The Sea reflects her love for colours. Photos: Joyce Moi
Recently, Moi released a documentary online celebrating Lee’s life, art and enduring spirit. The 40-minute documentary, titled Perfectly Imperfect — The Janet Lee Story, is available on Instagram and Facebook.
The documentary offers a journey through Lee’s life and art - from her early beginnings to her growth as an artist who used colours to express hope and joy.
“After a seizure, or when she was emotionally unsettled, she would often return to her colours. I noticed her palette would shift - from pastel shades to dark, bold tones - when she was about to have an attack or after one.
“Art helped her process what her body and mind were going through; it was her way of finding release and calm after turbulence,” said Moi.
However, the film is not just about Lee’s art; it’s also about how she lived her life.
“Her story reminds us that imperfection can be a source of beauty, courage and connection,” said Moi after the launch of the documentary in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 6.
Lee’s Still Blooming celebrates her passion for vibrant colours.Told through the voices of Moi and Lee’s elder sister, Joanne Lee, 42, the documentary reveals Lee’s personal challenges and quiet strength. It also features reflections from neurologist Dr Sherrini Bazir Ahmad, American neurologist Dr Julie Thompson-Dobkin and businesswoman Dr Choy Sook Kuen.
Moi said the documentary is a follow-up to Lee’s story featured in the book Embracing Imperfections: Women’s Stories Of Triumph by Lian Wai Bee.
In the book, Moi shared her journey from Lee’s birth to her passing.
“The documentary takes this further by inviting people who knew Janet or collected her artworks to share what they learned from her - both as an artist and as a person,” said Moi, co-founder of Janet Lee Gallery, an art space in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur established in 2020 to feature her daughter’s work.
The documentary also includes visuals of Lee’s creative process and behind-the-scenes glimpses of how her legacy continues through the gallery.
Last year, Moi launched The House of Janet Lee at the gallery to mentor mothers of other neurodivergent artists, helping them support their children in building meaningful futures.
Her purpose is to turn her daughter’s story into a source of hope, inclusion and empowerment.
“Janet’s story shows that even when life presents challenges, it’s our outlook and determination that define us - not our limitations.”
She added that the film is also her way of honouring a promise - to keep her daughter’s voice alive and ensure her journey continues to inspire others through the artpreneur mentorship programme at the gallery.
Celebrating Janet
Moi (left) hopes Lee’s story will inspire others to see people with disabilities as creative and capable. Photos: Instagram/Artistjanetlee
Lee’s painting Beneath The Sea reflects her love for colours. Photos: Joyce Moi
Lee’s Still Blooming celebrates her passion for vibrant colours.
Photo: Joyce Moi
