Meet Jinsoo Lee | Ceramic artist

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

Hi jinsoo, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Rather than working on a strict daily routine, I tend to dive in and work intensively when I’m focused, then take a few full days off afterward. Especially before important exhibitions or events, I often push myself a bit harder to get everything done, and afterward, I usually need some time to fully rest. I’ve started to realize that this pattern isn’t the best for my health, so I’m trying to build a more balanced and sustainable rhythm. It’s not easy, but I do believe it’s necessary for the long run.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have a deep appreciation for small and delicate works. Simply observing fine details brings me a great sense of satisfaction, and completing such pieces gives me a strong feeling of accomplishment. I also find meaning in watching viewers carefully observe and appreciate the work—it makes the entire process feel even more worthwhile.

I’m not a particularly outgoing person, and I often feel uncomfortable when attention is directed at me. But during my undergraduate graduation exhibition, I presented a miniature piece, and I noticed that people were focusing not on me, but on the work itself. At that moment, I felt a sense of freedom—as if I had stepped out of the spotlight from other people. That experience became a turning point, making me realize that this was the path I wanted to continue. Since then, I’ve been committed to creating detailed and intricate works that naturally draw the viewer’s attention.

At the same time, I couldn’t ignore the realities of making a living, and through that process, my current working style gradually developed. I now run a ceramic teaware brand called Bonida, where I create functional tea wares. In parallel with that, I also maintain a separate artistic practice where I don’t consider productivity or practicality—instead, I focus purely on expressing my emotions and inner desires as an artist.

Most of the year, I dedicate myself to brand-related work, but I intentionally set aside one or two months each year to pause and focus on personal, expressive pieces—works that allow me to process emotions that aren’t fulfilled through the brand. These periods are not just about making art, but serve as a vital time for self-reflection and deeper exploration of who I am.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Akcc where I work and stay is located within the Ceramic Art Village in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. This village is home not only to ceramic artists but also to various other craft artists who live and work together. It’s a place where you can explore the brands and works of many artists firsthand. If the timing is right, you might even have the chance to speak directly with the artists, which makes it a truly special experience for anyone interested in crafts.

In particular, a large ceramic festival is held in the Icheon Ceramic Art Village every April. If you visit during this time, many outside artists participate, and the entire village becomes vibrant and lively, making it a wonderful time to visit. During the festival, I imagine strolling slowly around the village with a friend, discovering favorite brands and works, and participating in various hands-on events to spend a fulfilling day.

If it’s not during the festival, since I have lived in Seoul, I would likely go with my friend to visit traditional landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace or tour craft museums and various art galleries to gain artistic inspiration. Normally, I spend a lot of time in my studio and don’t go out often, but when I do, I try to consciously seek out exhibitions and interesting spaces to refresh my creativity. Sharing those impressions and inspirations with my friend over a delicious meal or dessert at a café would also be a truly precious time.

After a full day of exploring and experiencing, I think it’s essential to rest properly at a quiet pension or a cozy hotel. Having peaceful time to relax and chat with a friend in a calm environment would make for a warm and comforting end to the trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
After finishing graduate school and searching for a studio space, I was introduced to a place called Akcc by Professor Seongman Ahn, who had taught me during my senior year of university. For someone like me who had never lived away from home before, it was a big challenge and a bold step forward.

Akcc is a space where young artists grow together through incubation programs and residencies, exchanging feedback and ideas. The people I met there had a significant impact on my practice. In particular, the exchanges I had with Professor Ahn, artist Jiyeon Kang, and many other artists helped me reflect not only on the direction of my work, but also on what it means to live as an artist.

Interacting with artists who had quietly and steadily followed their own paths helped me to clarify the kind of life and artistic direction I wanted to pursue. Through the relationships I built at Akcc, I was also introduced to unexpected opportunities—such as international residencies and symposiums—that expanded my perspective and gave me a broader vision of what my future could look like.

Instagram: @ceramic_bonida