Hun Chung Lee

​​The extensive work of Hun Chung Lee (b. 1967) reflects both the breadth of his creative vision and his commitment to dissolving the boundaries between art, design, and architecture. Recognized for his mastery of fifteenth-century Korean celadon glazing techniques and the innovative ways in which he modernizes them, Lee combines the formal languages of sculpture and functional design to create work that challenges conventional categorizations of form and utility.

Throughout his three-decade-long career, Lee has built a multifaceted practice ranging from functional works and intimate ceramic objects to monumental, multi-part installations. Across all configurations, the influence of the natural world is present. Lee’s subtle color palettes and organic forms reflect a deep engagement with landscape and environment, inspired by cycles of growth, erosion, and transformation.

Across all processes, Lee champions technical mastery while honoring tradition as well as an openness to chance. In each work, layers of glaze are meticulously applied over several days, embracing the unpredictability of the firing process that makes every piece inherently unique. He frequently juxtaposes ceramic with industrial materials such as concrete and steel, transforming their perceived rigidity into unexpected softness, enriching his sculptures with tactile complexity.

Hun Chung Lee received his BFA and MFA in ceramic sculpture from Hongik University in Seoul, Korea, before moving to the United States to earn a second MFA in sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute. He later completed a PhD in architecture at Kyung-won University in Korea.

His work is held in the collections of the Archie Bray Foundation Center, Helena, MT; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, CA; Dae-yoo Culture Foundation, Seoul, South Korea; the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, South Korea; Jinro Foundation of Culture, Seoul, South Korea; Niagara Galleries, Melbourne, Australia; and numerous other public and private collections. Lee currently lives and works between Seoul and Los Angeles.