10/17/2026
Currently on display in the Gallery at LILLSTREET ART CENTER, some amazing pots by Steven Young Lee. He makes these crazy cool, precisely thrown & exquisitely decorated porcelain vessels - that then "explode" and crumble down on themselves in the kiln!
According to his Artist Statement... Steve says "Intentionally deconstructing vessels recalibrates notions of classical perfection and beauty and seeks to critique ideas of failure and expectation, craft skill and the innate value of an object. By making porcelain vessels intended to crack in the firing and morphing decorative practices, I am challenging a deep history of craft protocols and questioning the boundaries and authenticity of identity, ownership and intent."
I'm still not sure I truly "get it"... and I'm glad he didn't teach us to do THIS in class... or my pots might look quite different these days!!! HA!!!
I can tell you that Steve Lee is my favorite pottery instructor I've ever had. He taught classes at the old Lillstreet location (actually on Lill Street). I had the chance to learn from "the master" and improve my own skill set. Mostly learning how to create different forms & to throw with intention. He was a "tough" teacher with high expectations for his students to follow. I think I learned a lot from Steve - both in making pots & teaching skills. So much so that I even took my own Monday night class into the Gallery to view his pieces... paying it forward & inspiring the next wave of Lillstreet Potters! Thank You Steve!
