BIOGRAPHY:
Mary Lee Hu
| Hu was introduced to jewelry and metalsmithing in high school. She was also exposed to
small scale metalworking during a summer camp program. She was immediately attracted to
the scale of the work, the processes and the image of herself wearing what she made. She
went to University of Miami, Ohio for two years and then went to Cranbrook Academy of Art,
Bloomfield, Michigan to complete her undergraduate degree. Hu learned various metals
techniques. What was so unique about this experience is that at that time the student body
was composed of mostly graduate students. Hu went on to graduate school at University of
Southern Illinois at Carbondale. Her work consisted mostly of jewelry and small scale
objects. Hu's designs were based on natural forms, movements and symmetry. During her
graduate education, Brent Kington (her professor) encouraged her to seek for and develop
her style. Kington's commitment to metalworking was inspiring to Hu. He became a very
strong role model for her and her classmates. Kington, at the time, did not have his own
separate studio and worked in the main studio with his students. Hu worked directly across
from her professor. During her second year of graduate school Hu started to investigate
weaving and knotting techniques with wire. She wanted to emulate the lines in her sketches
in her metalwork. Hu quickly noticed that the twined wire recreated this effect. One advantage to working in this manner is ease of portability of tools and supplies. This aspect suited Hu's lifestyle during that period of her life, since she was frequently traveling. Upon her return to the United States, Hu entered numerous competitions to build up an exhibition record. Hu also became involved with the Society of North American Goldsmiths. She served as president and was also a contributing member to the development of the organization. Hu is also involved with the American Craft Council and the World Crafts Council. She currently is a professor at University of Washington, Seattle. Hu has exhibited extensively nationall and internationally. |