Bio
Eun Mi Lee is a Korean-Canadian ceramic artist based in Richmond, Virginia. Lee received her BFA in Craft Design from Suwon University in 2005 and her MFA in Ceramics at Hongik University in 2009. Further to her studies, she was an Artist-in-Residence at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Canada from 2011 to 2014.
Lee's artwork expresses the beauty and complexity of the interconnection of a microcosm and the collective it represents, exploring how we are shaped and transformed through interactions with everything that exists.
She hopes to inspire her audience to embrace diversity and recognize the interconnectedness of all things. Lee has received numerous grants and awards, and her work has been showcased in various media including television, magazines, and online articles. She has been recognized by the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Crafts Council, and the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, receiving multiple grants and awards for her contributions to the arts.
Artist Statement
My work explores the interaction and interconnection between a microcosm and all of its surroundings. Within the small world, I discover the hidden beauty and complexity, where individual forms and textures interact and evolve, mirroring the world in which we live. We each have our roles and values, coexisting harmoniously as unique beings. Just as small pieces come together to form a larger shape, our individual efforts and values converge to shape our present society. A result of the interplay between materials inspired by the microcosm and the power of imagination, my work gives birth to new forms to capture the essence of time and experience through the interaction with clay, tools, and natural elements. Respecting individual and collective identity, a thought provoking visual is presented as a reminder of the importance of harmonious coexistence as distinct beings and interdependence of each personal journey aiming to create a more enriched society.
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Education
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2006 – 2009 M.F.A. in Ceramics, HongIk University, Seoul, South Korea
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2000 – 2005 B.F.A. in Craft Design (Ceramics), Suwon University, Suwon, South Korea
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Professional Experiences
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2011 – 2014 Artist in Residency at Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2009 Hongik University Ceramic Art Research Institute, Hongik University Ceramic Art Research Institute, Seoul, South Korea
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Juror
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2017 Craft Projects – Connections and Craft Projects – Ontario Art Council Creation and Development programs
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Awards/ Grants/ Scholarships
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2015 2015 Toronto Outdoor Exhibition - Honourable Mention Ceramics, Turker's Pottery Supplies Inc., Canada
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Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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Craft Projects: Creation and Development Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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2014 Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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Craft Ontario Volunteer Committee Emerging Professional Award, Craft Ontario, Canada
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Herman Miller Jurors Award, Toronto Design Offsite Festival 2014, Canada
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2013 Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
Ontario Crafts Council Scholarship, Craft Ontario, Canada
Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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Craft Projects:Creation and Development Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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2012 Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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Access and Career Development Grant, Ontario Art Council, Canada
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2009 Cheongju International Craft Competition ‘Out of the Box' - Honorable Mention, Cheongju Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea
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2007 Personal work added to permanent collection, Cube Art Museum, Beijing, China
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2006 The 3rd Modern Ceramic Art Award of Korea - Honorable Mention, Incheon Seogu Culture Centre, Incheon, South Korea
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2002 Beautiful Hwasung Contest - Honorable Mention, Suwon University, Suwon, South Korea
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Hwasung Si Cultural Craft Design Contest - Honorable Mention, Suwon University, Suwon, South Korea
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The 8th Haengju Art Contest – Special Award, Korean Fine Arts Association, Koyang, South Korea
The 38th Gyeonggi Art Contest – Special Award, Korean Fine Arts Association, Gyeonggi, South Korea
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Solo Show
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2016 Grace Eun Mi Lee 1st Solo Show “Dust” , Art Gallery of Burlington - Perry Gallery, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Selected Group Exhibition
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2020 ONE… OUT OF MANY, Shockoe Bottom Clay, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Tools of the Ceramic Trade, Richmond Main Street Station, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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2017 The Brain Project 2017, Gardiner Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2016 Citizens of Craft : A Canadian Perspective, Institut National Metiers D’Art, 23, Avenue Daumesnil, Paris, France
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2015 2015 Holiday Group Show, Atelier Ascenseur Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2015, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2015 One of a Kind Spring Show, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2014 2014 Holiday Pop-Up Shop, Craft Ontario Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Cabinet of Curiosity, Gallery House, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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8th Annual Simple Cup Show, KOBO Gallery, Seattle, Washington, United States
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Fish Tank Installation, Craft Ontario Shop, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Don’t Touch, Redhead Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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TODO Auction, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Objectified Matter, Ascenseur Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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AGH Art+Design / Show+Sale, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Toronto Gift Fair, The International Centre & Congress Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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NOT FORKCHOPS, Hashtag Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2013 Holiday Pop-Up Craft Shop, Ontario Crafts Council Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2013 Shop Studio Huddle, Studio Huddle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2013 One of a Kind Spring Show, Direct Energy Centre Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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“Fly By Night” Nuit Blanche 2013, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Wall Installation, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Constructor, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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52nd Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition 2013, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Bluebird Shop Window Display, Bluebird Shop, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Toronto Design Offsite Festival Opening Event, Lightform Showroom, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2012 Art Brownie Galaxy 2012, Index Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Shop Studio Huddle, Studio Huddle, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2012 One of a Kind Christmas Show & Sale, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Queen West Art Crawl, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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ACF Magazine Event Show, Sunny Choi Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Art Brownie Rainbow, INDEXG Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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“LookOut” Harbourfront Center Artist’s Residency Biennale Show, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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2009 Left-handed Depictions of Spring, My Necessities, Door/Incheon International Ceramic Center, Seoul, South Korea
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Cheongju International Craft Competition, Cheongju Biennale, Cheongju, South Korea
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Korea-China-Taiwan-Japan Contemporary Ceramics, Gallery Ichi Hyun, Japan
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An Unfamiliar Journey of Existence Confirmation, Gallery Terra Ignis, Seoul, South Korea
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MFA Graduate Show, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, South Korea
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2007 Annual Student Show, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, South Korea
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Open The Door: 580 Miles, Cube Art Museum, Beijing ,China
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Korea-China-Japan Contemporary Ceramics, Korea Craft Promotion Foundation, Seoul, South Korea
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2006 Annual Student Show, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, South Korea
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The 3rd Modern Ceramic Art Award of Korea Prize Show, Incheon Seo Gu Culture Centre, Incheon, South Korea
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Mimomo, Gallery Sungbo, Seoul, South Korea
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Artist’s Idea, Gallery Lotte Art, Ilsan, South Korea
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2004 Graduate Exhibition, Gallery Insa Art, Seoul, South Korea
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2002 The 8th Haengju Art Contest Prize Show, Goyang Flower Exhibition Center-Ilsan Lake Park, Gyeonggi, South Korea
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The 38th Gyeonggi Art Contest Prize Show, Gyeonggi Culture Art Center, Gyeonggi, South Korea