As an artist, I have been inspired by nature, culture and faith. Born and raised in Korea, I completed my higher education in the fine arts in the US. My work is influenced by both Eastern and Western culture and, later in life, by my newly acquired Christian faith. I use the ceramic medium to create three main types of artistic creations: animal-shaped origami Zodiac Sculptures with their cultural representation of human characteristics, teapots decorated with the graceful shapes of birds and flowers, and Biblical scenes revealing God’s eternal presence and guidance.
Inyoung Han Lee, Ceramic Artist
Zodiac Sculptures
The study of astrology centers on the 12 familiar signs of the zodiac. In Asia, over the centuries, each sign has developed its own associations and characteristics. One of the challenges I set for myself as a ceramic artist has been to bring to life Zodiac animal images in clay, each one representing both the strengths and the weaknesses of that particular sign of the Zodiac.
Teapots
I have always been inspired by the graceful shapes of birds and flowers as they are depicted in Eastern arts. By incorporating bird-like and flower-like elements in the design of my functional teapots, while using western throwing, glazing and Raku firing techniques, I seek to marry East and West in the conceptualization of my porcelain teapots.
Biblical Themes
While the Words from the Bible are live and eternal, they also remind us that our lives are fragile. The artistic clay renditions of biblical scenes will serve to let us acknowledge God’s presence and to seek His guidance. From the Bible, Exodus 13:21: “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light …”