Philadelphia-born artist Cherie Lee (b. 1968) is internationally recognized for her mastery of intricately carved, genuine ostrich eggshells. Utilizing high-speed rotary equipment, she applies Renaissance tenets of sculpture and low-relief techniques to craft works that impart both narrative and literal depth on their delicate 1/16-inch-thick surfaces. This choice of material highlights her enduring fascination with themes of vulnerability and resilience.

Lee’s practice is defined by an exploration of positive and negative space, the interplay of strength and fragility, and the balance between emptiness and fullness. Through minimalist subtractive sculpture, she examines how much can be removed while preserving the integrity of form, serving as a powerful metaphor for transformation and endurance.

Her work has been showcased in venues such as Woodmere Art Museum, Wayne Arts Center and the National Sculpture Society. Lee’s accolades include the Egg Art International’s Best of 2024 Award and the Boynes Artist Award for Excellence. Her creations are held in distinguished collections, including the White House’s permanent art collection, Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, and numerous private collections worldwide. Literary contributions include "Critical Moss”, Awakened Voices Magazine and Dwell Time Press.

In 2024, Lee received a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as well as grants from Camden Fireworks and the Peters Valley School of Craft on behalf of The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. She has participated in residencies including the RUC Rural Residency for Contemporary Art in Brescia, Italy (2025 cohort); Bryn Du Mansion (2024); Soaring Gardens Artist Retreat (2020, 2021, 2023); and Bethany Arts Community (2020, 2022), where she also served as a Fellow in both 2021 and 2022.

Recently expanding her focus, Lee’s current project, “RANT and RAVETM”, a collaboration with the New Jersey Children’s Alliance, is a co-created arts exhibition addressing childhood trauma. This newest artwork challenges societal perceptions, spotlighting marginalized experiences and demonstrating the power of creativity to inspire healing and solution-based conversations.