Celebrated ceramic artist Young Mi Lee welcomed as Theodore Randall International Chair in Ceramic Art

The Theodore Randall Chair was established in 2007 to honor the legacy of artist and educator Theodore Randall, remembered as the architect of the School of Art and Design at Alfred and as a significant artist and organizer in the field. The Randall Chair is open to established, international artists who bring diverse cultural insight by virtue of their stature as experienced artists. The chair rotates each semester through the divisions within the school.

Young Mi Lee is a celebrated ceramic artist and educator based in South Korea, bridging figurative tradition and contemporary exploration. She currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Ceramics and Glass Art at Hongik University in Seoul, where she has been inspiring students since 2015. Before this, Young Mi held a pivotal role as Associate Professor at Jingdezhen Ceramic University in China from 2008 to 2014, further solidifying her international perspective and artistic versatility.

Young Mi's artistic career began in China, where she spent over a decade deeply engaged in figurative sculpture. During this formative period, she crafted evocative porcelain works that delved into themes of identity and the human condition. Her experience as a Korean artist studying abroad allowed her to reexamine her identity and culture from a unique outsider’s perspective. This journey of self-discovery significantly shaped her artistic voice, enabling her to redefine her personal and professional identity.

Over the years, Young Mi Lee’s practice has focused on portraying the tensions between individual existence and societal expectations. Her works reflect struggles to conform to the rigid societal norms of Korea in the 1980s and 1990s while simultaneously grappling with the rapid transformations of the 2000s. These themes manifest in delicate yet powerful ceramic pieces embody inner conflicts, personal suffering, and resilience.

Young Mi Lee’s dedication to her craft is exemplified through an impressive array of solo and group exhibitions across Asia. Her recent solo exhibitions include Nature Diary (2022) and Small Garden (2020) at Dorossy Salon in Seoul, as well as Return at the Sanbao Museum in Jingdezhen, China (2019). In group settings, her work has been featured in international showcases, such as the Macau 2020 Belt and Road Exhibition and the Spring Field Flowers exhibition in Shanghai.

Her works are housed in prestigious collections, including the Ningbo Art Museum in China, the Jeju Yeomiji Botanical Garden in Korea, and The Light of Life Home Town collection in Gapyeong, Korea. These placements underscore her impact within both artistic and public spaces.

Through her teaching, exhibitions, and profound exploration of identity, Young Mi Lee continues to influence the field of ceramic art globally. Her work is a testament to the transformative power of art in navigating personal and cultural histories, offering viewers an intimate look into universal struggles and triumphs.