Dohee Lee 이도희

BiographyDohee Lee weaves her multiple virtuosities in drumming, dancing, and singing into immersive ritualized theatrical creations. Born on Jeju Island, Korea, she trained at the master-level in music and dance styles rooted in Korean shamanism. In 1998, Dohee moved to Oakland, CA to create a new art form. Since then, she has become an award- winning traditional and contemporary arts performer, collaborating with Anna Halprin, Kronos Quartet, Amara Tabor Smith, Pauchi Sasaki and many others. Dohee is Artistic Director of Dohee Lee Puri Arts; Director of Art and Healing with refugee rights collective, Asian Refugees United and is teaching faculty at Tamalpa Institute. Recent awards include: 2021 Creative Work Fund; 2021 California Arts Commission; 2021 Rainin New Program; 2020 Svane Foundation Artwork Commission; 2019 East Bay Community Foundation; 2018 Guggenheim Fellowship; 2018 NEFA National Dance Project Production Grant; 2018 MAP Fund; 2017 Hewlett 50 Arts Commission in Music. (More info: puriarts.org)

Artist StatementI passionately believe by practicing and performing art we can commune and heal with people and spirits to express and share our thoughts and ideas on vital issues such as identity, politics, nature and spirituality. The performance is the ritual; a new form of performance with Korean traditional and contemporary art. Whenever I prepare for the performance, I always research and look around at the inner and outer to see what I and we need to pay attention to. And it aways begins with myself with issues which are surrounding me and then connecting to others in different forms physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, economically, politically, geographically and spiritually. This intention enhances the connection between beings, nature, ancestors and spirits, so that we can communicate and share feelings, wishes and hopes. I am very lucky and honored to do art because it gives me the power of transformation to confront all these challenges, facts and issues creatively through the new way of performance ritual.

Website Puri Arts
Dohee Lee