Sculpting Joy: Ahryun Lee's Hoppy Marvels

Opening January 16th, 2025, at USM Haller's Greene Street showroom J. Lohmann Gallery presents a striking contrast: Ahryun Lee's playful ceramics dancing against USM's minimalist aesthetic. This juxtaposition has been central to Lohmann's vision, where art and design from different movements and eras create new dialogues.

Lee, who works from her studio near Munich, turns porcelain into creatures that seem to pulse with life. Her forms spring from formative memories of her youth - cartoons, fairy tales, and those first intense encounters with wonder and fear. "Shapes that do not exist in reality always stir curiosity and imagination in everyday life," she says. "Over the past few years, as I have adapted to a new cultural environment far from my homeland, nostalgia, memories of childhood, and longing have become more solidified in my work. The primal emotion I felt as a child - joy - has become the purpose of my creative process."

Photography courtesy of the artist

It's this emphasis on joy and storytelling that caught Lohmann's attention. His approach mirrors Lee's creative philosophy. "I spend time in studios, having long conversations, learning about process," he explains. "I look for exceptional craftsmanship paired with compelling narratives." It's a partnership that continues to evolve, bringing Lee's creations to new audiences while allowing her artistic vision to flourish.

Lee's artistic path spans continents and traditions. At home in Seoul, she was surrounded by her mother's ceramic collection, absorbing the language of form through daily use. Her formal education began at Seoul National University, where she mastered foundational ceramic techniques. Later, at London's Royal College of Art, she was pushed to question every aspect of her artistic identity. "The ceramic education in the East and West was sharply different," Lee tells us. "At Seoul National University, the focus was primarily on tradition and history, with an emphasis on craftsmanship. The goal was to train masters rooted in artisan spirit. At the Royal College of Art in London, they valued concept and the development of individual identity over technical skills."

Photography courtesy of the artist

This duality shaped Lee's approach to ceramics. Her sculptures draws from Korean ceramic heritage while pushing into new territories of personal expression. Each piece carries the precision of her early training, transformed by her drive to expand the possibilities of the medium. "The traditional techniques I learned in Korea are embedded in every piece," she explains. "But ceramics can be more than a display of craft - it can hold stories, capture memories, create meaning."

Working with clay remains a deeply physical experience for Lee. "The process brings me back to a childlike state," she says. "There's a pure pleasure in feeling the material respond to my fingertips." This tactile quality carries through to the finished pieces, which seem to invite touch. Viewers often reach out instinctively, drawn into a sensory dialogue with the work. Each interaction adds another layer to the piece's story, as personal memories and emotions become part of its evolving narrative.

Photography courtesy of the artist

Her influences expand beyond nostalgia: "I'm fascinated by designers who break from convention," she says, citing Ettore Sottsass as a particular inspiration. "His work captures the playful spirit I seek in my own." Recent collaborations, including an artist residency with Dolce & Gabbana and special exhibitions during Milan Design Week, have further expanded her artistic horizons.

For an artist to build a career and navigate the world of exhibitions and collaborations, their relationship with a gallery is almost as important as the work itself. When asked about advice for emerging artists seeking gallery representation, Lee emphasizes authenticity and preparation. "A strong, well-curated portfolio is essential," she advises. "But equally important is finding a gallery whose vision aligns with yours." Her partnership with J. Lohmann Gallery, which began in 2018, demonstrates this philosophy in action. "Trust and open communication create the foundation for growth," she notes. "When galleries collect your work themselves, it shows a deeper commitment to your artistic journey."

Photography by James Harris for Design Miami

Lee's sculptures have found enthusiastic reception at major design fairs on both sides of the Atlantic. Her appearances at Design Miami and Milan Design Week have exposed her pieces to diverse international audiences, each bringing their own cultural perspective to her work. "These interpretations keep pushing my creativity in new directions," she reflects. "The conversations and connections made at these fairs have opened unexpected doors, from collaborations to exhibitions. Each event adds another dimension to how I think about my practice."

This spirit of discovery and connection extends to every encounter with her creations. Collectors and gallery visitors often find themselves surprised by her porcelain forms, mistaking them for fabric or other materials. This element of wonder lies at the heart of Hoppy Marvels, where New York audiences are invited into her playful universe - one where memories take physical form, and each sculpture invites touch, interpretation, and connection.

Photography courtesy of the artist

Hoppy Marvels
J. Lohmann Gallery
January 16, 2025 to February 6, 2025
Monday to Friday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM & Saturday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
USM NY Showroom. 28-30 Greene Street New York, NY 10013