Steven Young Lee, Steve Lee, Steven Lee

1975Born, Chicago, Illinois

EDUCATION

1993-1995Business, Studio Art, Art Education, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

1998BFA Ceramic Art, Art Education, New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

2004MFA Ceramic Art and Design, Alfred University

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1998-2001Instructor, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, Illinois

1998-2002Studio Potter, Steve Lee Inc., Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York

2001-2002Resident Artist, Instructor and Studio Manager, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, New York

2006—Resident Artist Director, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, Montana

2005-2006Visiting Faculty, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Vancouver, British Columbia,Canada

RESIDENCIES AND APPRENTICESHIPS

1998Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana

2001-2002Clay Art Center

2004-2005Pottery Workshop-Shanghai, Shanghai, China

2004-2005Visiting Artist and Lecturer, San Bao Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China

BIOGRAPHY

Steven Lee’s work falls into two categories: functional dinnerware related pieces, and sculptures created from functional forms rendered non-functional by creating slumped, fractured or split vessels. His large thrown pieces are inspired by traditional forms from various cultures including a series based on Korean storage jars from the Joseon Dynasty.  He has used various surface techniques including traditional ceramic glazes and underglaze decoration, as well as less traditional materials such as auto body paint and gold leaf.

Not content to make well-crafted porcelain forms, Lee has created a body of work in which he deconstructs the pot with carefully placed “accidental” cracks and breaks. Often these pots slump and bend as if being poured out of themselves. He appropriates imagery and pattern from Asian and European sources using blue or red underglaze or white sgraffito. He playfully uses the positioning of his mark on his vessels requiring the observer to closely examine not only the foot rim, under foot but also the decorative motifs for his hidden “LEE” mark.