Meet Shuh Lee | Artist & Maker

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

Hi Shuh, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I try to balance work and life by separating my spaces. I share a wonderful studio that I can go to and focus on my work. In my studio I’m able to be creative and forget the outside world. I’m also lucky that there are other fantastic creators and artists who share the same studio space. I’m thankful that I can chat to them when I need support and we can bounce ideas off of each other as well.

My home is a space that I can relax and disconnect from work. I can do my yoga and stretches at home, as well as meditate and de-stress. I fill this space with plants and artworks. I think it’s incredibly important to not be working all the time, we all need some time to digest and consolidate our artistic ideas.

When I started in my business, I found the work/life balance more difficult. As I’ve become more established I’ve learned to make better decisions that enable me to be more sustainable in terms of my business and energy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love to play with form, function, and simple patterns. There’s always an element of fun and exploration in my work, and a sense of freedom and learning gained through play. The idea of play is very important to me, it drives my creativity and informs my output.

My work is continually evolving as I work with new mediums and materials. I am most proud of being an artist and a woman in a creative business. I’m excited to be able to share my work, but also my experience and knowledge with others on a similar journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is perfect, as one of my oldest friends is visiting this year and I’ve been thinking about this question a lot! I’d like to show them the places and things that I love, and I know they will love as well.

We would start in my local hood, High St in Thornbury, where you will find restaurants where I frequent and perhaps some of my stockists! There’s also incredible live music happening most nights of the week. We would also visit Smith St (Collingwood), Lygon St (Brunswick East), and Sydney Rd (Brunswick) for more shopping and food. We’d take a drive to the Dandenong Ranges for some incredible gardens and walks.

Some other places we’d visit are:

The Heide Museum of Modern Art
QV Womens Center Shop, Melbourne CBD
Craft Victoria in the Melbourne CBD.

Lastly, a visit to Immigration Museum in the Melbourne CBD is a must.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everyone that has supported my education along the way. To all my teachers that have allowed and encouraged me to explore and be creative! My university lecturers from RMIT in Melbourne, Australia that introduced me to new ideas and concepts, whilst still supporting my artistic output. My friends from University and High School that encouraged me to pursue art. My dad who helped with my education, and whose time as a screen printer gave me a curiosity for colours and combinations. Craft Victoria, who gave me a foot in the door and helped me to become part of the maker scene in Melbourne.

My stockists who continually support my work. My fellow creatives, and all the amazing people I’ve met along the way, there’s too many to mention but some who have really helped me are Emily Green, Julie B Ceramics, Togetherness, Wolf & Mishka, The Club of Odd Volumes, Frankie Magazine, Halcyon Nights, Jericho Road, Tsuno, and ana tomy. The list definitely goes on!

Website: https://shuhlee.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shuhlee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shuhxx