Jiyong Lee
Jiyong Lee is a studio artist and Professor of Art at Southern Illinois University, where he has led the Glass Program since 2005. In this role, he has overseen curriculum development, facilities expansion, international engagement, and graduate mentorship, contributing to the program’s strong national and international reputation.
Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Lee earned his MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he also taught prior to joining SIU. His research and creative practice examine the material, color, form, and perceptual properties of glass, with particular attention to optical effects and the nuanced interplay between translucency, transparency, and opacity. His work is grounded in sustained studio research and has been widely exhibited internationally.
Lee has taught and lectured at numerous leading art and craft institutions worldwide, including The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass, Penland School of Craft, Pilchuck Glass School, Domaine de Boisbuchet in France, Canberra Glassworks in Australia, and Fire Station Artists’ Studios in Dublin, Ireland. From 2009 to 2015, he served on the board of the Glass Art Society, supporting professional development and education within the field.
His work has received significant international recognition, including being named a finalist for the 2021 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize and receiving the Bavarian State Prize at the International Trade Fair in Munich in 2017. His work has been featured in publications such as Glass Quarterly, American Craft, Neues Glas, New Glass Review, and American Art Collector, and is held in major public and private collections, including the Corning Museum of Glass, the Barry Art Museum, Chanel (France), and Samsung (Korea).
Education:
- M.F.A. Rochester Institute of Technology
- B.F.A. Hongik University
Research Interest:
Material and perceptual investigation through glass, color and light, optical phenomena, spatial form, and interdisciplinary studio practice.
Awards and Honors:
- 2023 International Cheongju Craft Biennale Jury member
- 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Expert Selection panel
- 2021 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Finalist Exhibition
- 2017 Bavarian State Prize at the Munich International Trade Fair
- 2005 Glass Art Society Emerging Artist Award