/// ABOUT THIS EXHIBITION
ArtsWorcester at the Davis Art Gallery
July 6 through September 24, 2023
Reception: Wednesday, July 26, 5:30-8:30 PM
The architectural abstractions of Jongeun Gina Lee’s hand-built ceramic sculptures reflect her experiences with immigration and fertility treatments, which both involved isolation, disappointment, an ongoing revival of hope, and that hoped-for arrival. This series began with a neglected dry lump of clay that resonated with Lee when she spotted it during a particularly difficult moment. She cut the clay into strips and assembled her first form, complete with a bird on its highest point. This sculpture was Lee’s first Noah’s Ark.
The Biblical story of Noah's ark—his preparation for his journey, and the arduous task of building a vessel to ensure life—holds strong meaning for Lee. Her meditative process of deconstructing and reassembling pieces of clay results in works that reflect organic forms often found in nature, and provide a sense of reconciliation and completion.
Support comes from:
ArtsWorcester exhibitions in the Davis Art Gallery take place courtesy of Davis Publications.
/// ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jongeun Gina Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States as an adult. Strong influences in her life include cultural chauvinism of her Korean heritage, transitional experiences as an immigrant, and the long wait for a child in her married life. Lee’s faith and resilience carry her through these turbulent experiences, and also influence her artwork.
Lee is a designer-turned-artist. After studying fashion design in Korea and textile surface design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, she worked as a design director for twelve years in Seoul, Los Angeles, and New York. Lee designed and developed products for major retailers such as Bloomingdale’s, for designer brands Lenox and Waterford Wedgwood, and red-carpet designer Monique Lhuillier. Her experience with three-dimensional home products shifted her personal artistic career. Lee’s exposure to new mediums and manufacturing resources opened new possibilities for three-dimensional work, and eventually led her to ceramics and sculpture.
Lee’s artwork has been shown at the Arts at Harvard Ceramics Program, the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, the Davis Art Gallery, the Molly Harding Nye Gallery at the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Webster Financial Center in Wellesley, and the Danforth Art Museum.
