Daeun Lim

I utilize the stereotypical notions revolving around functional objects as my breaking point to explore practicality beyond the utilitarian identity they inherit. Creating these works to me is equivalent to the act of creating direction; directions that are meant to depart to destinations that are unsettled or unsettling; directions that lead one through non-linear paths of finding limitless definitions. 
As a maker, I identify as a designer of misfit objects who creates a stage for objects to play new roles, rather than serving the conventional role that it is given or projected with. Therefore my practice is driven by the questions I ask my objects, and further those that my objects asks its viewers and/or users: How can I blur the concept of practicality through my object creations? What kind of value do people seek when defining usefulness? What social agreement have we come to establish over the idea of usefulness, and how can I challenge that?

Daeun Lim is a ceramic artist/designer from South Korea whose work explores the boundaries of functionality. Through her work, Daeun invites viewers to reconsider the traditional roles of objects and engage with them in new and unexpected ways through the question, “What can objects do?” She studied at Ewha Woman's University in Seoul, South Korea, before pursuing an MFA at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Her work has been exhibited globally throughout Germany, China, South Korea, and the United States, showcasing her unique approach to ceramics. She was a recipient of Young Artist Award in Cluj Ceramics Biennale in 2019 and recognized as an emerging artist in Ceramics Monthly in 2021, highlighting her growing impact on the contemporary ceramics scene.