Huey Hyuk Lee

Artist Statement

My artistic practice is deeply rooted in my cultural background, religious influences, and nostalgic memories. I express these themes through drawings and sculptures, each possessing its own narrative. These narratives are conveyed through unique characters that serve as a vessel for personal introspection and societal messages, often encapsulating hidden desires and concealed emotions. Utilizing whimsical humor, my work often includes nostalgic figures and objects that evoke sentimental responses in viewers.

Central to my artistic process is an ongoing exploration of self. Constant self-inquiry regarding my identity allows me to delve into diverse narratives through these characters. They represent the spectrum of my emotional landscape, influenced by both internal and external factors such as trauma, anxiety, longing, and desire.

My drawings and sculptures serve as a visual diary, reflecting the spectrum of emotions I experience daily. Often, I incorporate found objects into my work, not only to introduce a new visual language but also to underscore the original narratives. These found objects fuel my imagination, resulting in a fusion of elements that create visual complexity.

The characters created in my imagination, such as a dog, tiger, demon, angel, super-manized Huey, etc., are translated into clay works, embodying both figures and illustrations. These clay figures and illustrations bring forth a humorous and whimsical narrative by seamlessly combining cultural contexts like pop and Korean culture. For instance, a dog disguised as a tiger, pretending to be something it's not, reflects aspects of myself—moments when I may not feel strong, yet push myself to be seen as mighty.

Clay has been a timeless medium, offering a profound means of expression. Objects crafted from clay throughout history not only signify the culture from which they originate but also reflect the zeitgeist. Clay, with its unique ability to capture the maker's bodily trace, becomes a medium through which I share my emotions, memories, and languages, aiming to communicate with the world.

Biography

Huey Lee is a ceramic artist from South Korea who has dedicated his career to exploring the expressive possibilities of clay. After completing his training as a traditional Korean ceramic artisan, Lee honed his skills working at various pottery and ceramic studios. During this time, he had the privilege of studying under renowned ceramic artists such as TaeGon Kim, Inchin Lee, and the late Gil-bae Kim, who imparted their knowledge of technique, form, and aesthetics. He holds a BFA from Kyung Hee University in Korea and an MFA from the University of Georgia.

Huey_Lee_Two Guardian For Me, 2024, Stoneware, 27.5 x 33x 12
Huey_Lee_The Guy Travels In Disguise, 2024, Stoneware, 18x 19x 10
Huey_Lee_Horsy, 2024, Stoneware, 23.5 x 22x 9
Huey_Lee_Figurative Painting-Jar, 2024, Stoneware, 19.5x 20.5x 14
Huey_Lee_Figurative Painting-Heart, 2024, Stoneware, 17x 10.5 x 7
Huey_Lee_Figurative Painting-Dino, 2024, Stoneware, 19x 23x 11.5
Huey_Lee_Doggie Stool, 2024, Stoneware, 19 x 26x 20