Jennie Jieun Lee's Ceramic Abstractions Explore Psychological Landscapes at The Pit

Jennie Jieun Lee's solo exhibition 'Seizure Crevasse' ran from 12 March to 23 April at The Pit in Los Angeles, featuring glazed ceramic works that diverge from functional pottery into abstract sculpture. The show's title references cracks occurring during clay firing, which the artist connects metaphorically to her experiences with agoraphobia and depression. Several large-scale pieces resulted from Lee's residency at California State University, Long Beach, where she accessed a 2,500 square-foot outdoor kiln patio with avant-garde ceramicist Tony Marsh. The gallery installation incorporated reclaimed wood from the industrial Los Angeles suburb, creating an elevated platform reminiscent of seaside piers or Asian gardens. Four major works including Night Cavern (2017) were positioned centrally as viewing objects rather than approachable sculptures, similar to Chinese scholars' stones. Two busts—The Witch (2016) and Queen (2017)—were displayed below floor level in the gallery's namesake pit, with Queen featuring delicate features contrasted by expressive glaze and Queen's asymmetrical headdress. Square Head (2017), representing Lee's mask series, reflects her periods of self-confinement with autobiographical elements including textured clay resembling her hair. While addressing themes of trauma and melancholy, the exhibition maintains vibrant energy throughout its ceramic contortions.