J. Lohmann Gallery presents Ahryun Lee: Hoppy Marvels at USM Modular Furniture, New York
January 16 – February 6, 2025
J. Lohmann Gallery is pleased to present Ahryun Lee: Hoppy Marvels in collaboration with USM Modular Furniture.
Ahryun Lee’s new collection, Hoppy Marvels, is a refined celebration of the whimsical. She beckons viewers into a vibrant, otherworldly realm where the playful spirits of animals spring to life through tactile and colorful ceramic forms. This new body of work is a masterful culmination of Lee’s established visual style that centers on a fantastical reimagining of animals to cultivate a profound sense of joy and renew a sense of wonder for the natural world within its viewer.
At the heart of Lee’s work is her expansive imagination driving her collection in every detailed aspect, from carefully yet complementary chosen novel color combinations, reminiscent of candy she used to enjoy as a child, to layered textures both pleasing to the touch and to the eye. Demonstrated in this collection, Lee has perfected her abstracted animals technically, but furthermore, pushed her own boundaries on creativity, producing dynamic sculptures that seemingly not only interact with the viewer, but with each other, embodying movement especially when paired together. In her attempt to capture the essence of each animal, not only in form, but also in its unique character, she is able to craft individual personalities for each of her creations, all of whom are deeply expressive without the need of facial features. Their poses speak for them, and in some cases, allow them to speak with each other. Using her defined artistic language, Lee’s works invite interaction in a multi-sensory world of her own creation.
As a renowned contemporary ceramic artist, Ahryun Lee is distinguished for her unique visual style of bold colors paired with striking textures in her abstracted, often playful, forms. This style continuously evolves around themes of joy for her that are influenced by her nostalgia for childhood – dear memories of unbridled joy, pleasure, and play – and her appreciation of the world around her. Lee hopes her viewer will “Hop into a world of color and joy, where every twist and turn of playful beings brings a burst of optimism and wonder. Let these vibrant sculptures remind you that art, like life, is a delightful dance of imagination and happiness.” Her work speaks to her intention to uncover extraordinary beauty while stirring emotion and sparking curiosity, resulting in captivating pieces that inspire a sense of play and exploration.
She is continuously exploring numerous creative possibilities in her practice by embracing a global perspective between East and West through her use of traditional Korean ceramic making techniques combined with contemporary motifs in each work. Ahryun Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1989 and is residing and working in Bavaria, Germany. She is a graduate of both Fine Arts and Design in Ceramics at the Seoul National University in South Korea (2011) and Royal College of Art in the UK (2016). Lee realizes this duality through her distinctive visual vocabulary alongside her refined craftsmanship, which allows her to harness her technical prowess to create sculptures that are the pinnacle of playfulness yet elegance.
The artist has gained international attention for her unique sculptures, which are included in significant private collections. Her work is exhibited internationally at prominent shows, such as Design Miami, The Salon Art + Design, Salone del Mobile, Schloss Hollenegg for Design, Collect Art Fair, and many other exhibitions in the USA, Europe, Middle East, and South Korea. She collaborated with Céline London and recently worked with Dolce & Gabbana under DG’s Generation Designers project during Milan Design Week 2023.
Through her original artistic expression, the artist aims to nurture an appreciation for the animal kingdom within the viewer by deepening our connection to the natural world through a fresh reinterpretation of it, reminding us of the beauty of life that surrounds us. Lee invites you to step into this otherworldly realm, where each sculpture tells its own story and every color ignites the imagination.
Contact
info@jlohmanngallery.com
USM NY Showroom
28-30 Greene Street
New York, NY 10013
United States
Photos courtesy of J. Lohmann Gallery
