Huey Lee's Whimsical Daydreaming, 15½ in. (39.4 cm) in height, stoneware, 2025.

My artistic practice is deeply rooted in my cultural background, religious influences, and nostalgic memories. I express these themes through drawings and sculptures, each possessing its own narrative. These narratives are conveyed through unique characters who serve as vessels for personal introspection and societal messages, often encapsulating hidden desires and concealed emotions. Utilizing humor, my work often includes nostalgic figures and objects that evoke sentimental responses in viewers. 

The characters created in my imagination are translated into clay and bring forth a whimsical narrative. For instance, a dog disguised as a tiger, pretending to be something it’s not, reflects aspects of myself—moments when I may not feel strong, yet push myself to be seen as mighty.

1 I start by either throwing or handbuilding a sculptural form. This one is inspired by a Korean moon jar. 2 Make a quick, spontaneous drawing on the surface with a pencil when the work is at the soft, leather-hard stage.

3 Use a knife to cut portions of the drawn lines, this allows you to push out the wall and create different depths of relief. 4 Close the open spaces with coils and slabs, and add clay to the remaining drawn lines to make them high relief.

5 Finish adding coils and rough trimming. Let the work dry until leather hard, then start a final trimming and refine edges. 6 Brush white slip over the finished greenware. After bisque firing, glaze with multiple glazes or underglazes to finish.

 

 

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