Heesoo Lee

Heesoo Lee – guest artist

Heesoo Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, where she earned her BA in art from Ewha University. In 2000, she transitioned to a dedicated studio practice in Berkeley, California, before moving to Maui, where she established a thriving studio business. Her artistic journey includes a summer residency at the Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts in 2013, a long-term residency in 2014, a visiting artist role in 2020, and another fall residency in 2021. Heesoo is a full-time studio artist who dedicates time to teaching workshops in the U.S. and other countries.

 

Heesoo Lee’s artistic practice delves into the complexities of the human experience by drawing parallels with the natural world. Her work is rooted in a keen observation of materials, nature, and place, and it thoughtfully engages with themes of identity, connection, and the passage of time. By exploring the subtle nuances of light, texture, color, and shadow in nature, Lee effectively articulates a spectrum of human emotions, capturing existence's profound beauty and fragility within an ever-changing environment.  

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She creates sculptural vessels from porcelain, meticulously constructing each piece and applying numerous layers of underglaze. Her unique approach to painting with pigmented clay results in works that often require thirty or more layers to achieve the remarkable depth and realism for which she is celebrated. However, the outcome is unpredictable; during the firing process, the layers can interact and shift in color, and vibrant hues may dissipate at high temperatures. This dynamic relationship with her materials allows Lee to combine precision with a bold, intuitive exploration of imagery and surface treatments. Her work resonates deeply, reflecting moments of human transcendence that convey strength and vulnerability, making fleeting experiences with the world indelibly impactful.  

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heesoolee

Helena, Montana