There is something magical about the subconscious. I've come to learn that it is only with reflecting on years of work that patterns, instincts and concepts appear so much clearer and reveal the subconscious at work. There is purity and honesty in it and this is true in many artist's work that I have spent time with and watched evolve.
Looking at Re Jin Lee's sculptures presented in the latest show, THE SUBLIME, the same findings unfold. A daughter of South Korean parents, born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Re Jin's work is influenced by her family's cultural heritage, coupled with influence by the surrounding in which she was raised. Although local inspirations were not consciously studied in relation to her artwork, there is no question that one sees an architectural aspect in her geometric, balanced works. It is true that several of Brazil's most famous architectural sites share balance, modernism and minimalism which is found in Re Jin's sculptures. From architecture icons such as Oscar Niemeyer and Lina Bo Bardi, there is a resemblance in shared principals of complexity of balance and simplicity of forms, which makes it all the more memorable.
above: Re Jin Lee's studio
below: National Congress Building (1960) | Brasília, Brazil
Re Jin is a self taught ceramicist using a unique approach in assembly of individually rolled out clay slabs and coils created by a 'hand and clay' collaboration inspired by the contemplative process of ceramics and belief in simplicity. Her work has evolved over a decade from functional stoneware to larger sculptural forms. 
In her latest show at the gallery alongside painter, Laura Naples, we debut her wall sculptures, a hand sculpted table and some of her latest works. Re Jin's new collection or raku works explores a daring and unpredictable ancient Japanese technique. Pieces are prepared with glazes special to the raku process. Instead of a controlled, electric kiln, raku requires a fuel-burning kiln - a much faster heating using fire. Pulled from the kiln red-hot, pieces are quickly placed in combustible materials which burst into flames upon contact. It is then smothered with a container to deprive the set up of oxygen, and immediately cooled down.
A number of variations in this process of fire, quick temperature change, and oxygen deprivation lead to endless variations in colors and surface effects. Results can never be repeated; each piece is truly an original. Working in raku requires speed, intuition, collaboration with all four elements, and trust in the natural process. Because of the quick temperature change, the risk of losing work to breakage and explosion is much higher with this process; but the rewarding results are something close to magic.
THE SUBLIME will be on show through August 21st, 2022.
