Meet Jaehee Lim | Ceramic artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaehee Lim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaehee, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m mostly inspired by nature.
I’m especially drawn to the traces and textures that form over time—like leaves swaying in the wind, the movement of flowing water, and the shapes and lines found in small flowers.
These elements have a quiet, sculptural beauty that captivates me.
In natural landscapes shaped over long periods of time, I often sense a feeling of stillness and a distant passage of time.
These scenes from nature form the foundation of my work and continue to inspire the textures and patterns I create.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always loved nature.
When I look at things like trees or stones, I notice how each of them carries its own unique grain—formed slowly over time.
They may look similar at first glance, but each has a distinct pattern, a character shaped by time.
That made me want to create my own “grain” through my work—something slowly built, layer by layer, with intention and care.
That was the beginning of my Grain series.
It’s defined by a process in which I build texture by repeatedly adding small fragments onto the surface of the clay.
This kind of work takes a long time and requires a great deal of patience.
Sometimes it takes me several days to complete a single piece.
But in that slowness, I find focus.
The repetitive, meditative process allows me to stay present and pour a quiet emotion into each piece.
It feels like leaving traces of myself in the flow of time—a process of meeting the stillness within me.

Of course, there are times when things don’t go as planned, or when the result doesn’t reflect the time and care I put into it.
But through those moments, I’ve come to understand that steadiness is more powerful than speed.
Taking small steps—without stopping—is the hardest part, and also the most meaningful.
What I’m most proud of is that all of these moments, emotions, and the time I’ve spent are held gently within my work.
I hope that when people encounter my pieces, they can feel that quiet energy and take a moment to pause—to meet a sense of stillness, too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Seoul, I would definitely take them to Gyeongbokgung Palace and the surrounding areas of Bukchon and Seochon.
This area is where Korea’s tradition and modern life blend beautifully and naturally.
Strolling around Gyeongbokgung and its surroundings is always special, and the neighborhood is full of museums and galleries.
It’s a place I used to visit often during my university days—to see exhibitions, relax, spend time with friends, and grow through those experiences.
It holds many memories for me and remains one of my favorite parts of the city.

It’s always a joy to walk through the traditional hanok alleys in Bukchon, stopping by craft studios, tea houses, and galleries.
In Seochon, you can find small exhibition spaces, independent bookstores, local markets, and traces of artists who once lived there.
That’s why I think it’s the perfect place to share some slow, meaningful time with friends.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m deeply thankful to the friends and mentors who have supported me through difficult times in my work.
Their advice, encouragement, and the experience of creating ceramics alongside them have helped me grow and expand my artistic practice.
Knowing that I’m not alone on this path has given me a sense of strength and belonging—
and I truly believe that I wouldn’t have been able to continue this journey for so long without them.
I’m also grateful to those who appreciate and support my ceramic work.
Their encouragement gives me the energy and motivation to keep going.
That quiet support has become one of the most important forces that keeps me moving forward.

Website: https://www.limjaehee.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lim_ing_