Stephanie S. Lee is a Korean-American visual artist, educator, curator, graphic designer, and children’s book author based in Queens, New York. Rooted in Minhwa—the rich tradition of Korean folk painting—her work bridges cultural heritage and contemporary expression through storytelling, design, and community-centered engagement. She is also the founder of KoreanFolkArt.org, a platform dedicated to preserving and sharing Korean folk painting through exhibitions, workshops, and resources.
Trained in both Eastern and Western art practices, Lee is best known for her bookshelf paintings and reimagined folk motifs such as tigers, magpies, cranes, and moon rabbits. Her practice evokes meditative stillness, humor, and cultural symbolism, inviting viewers into personal and shared histories.
She is the founder of The Garage Art Center, a nonprofit arts space fostering cross-cultural dialogue through exhibitions, artist talks, and workshops. Lee has conducted Minhwa workshops at major institutions including the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Princeton University, and Cornell University, reaching participants of all ages.
In addition to her fine art, Lee is an experienced graphic designer and the author/illustrator of original children’s books that introduce young readers to Korean culture through Minhwa-inspired narratives.
Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Hyperallergic, NY1 News, and WNBC, among others.