ABOUT

Karen Lee is a multidisciplinary artist whose visual practice has gained notable recognition over the past five years. A self-taught artist, Karen’s work has been exhibited in prominent festivals such as the Scene & Heard Festival of New Work, with shows like Reject. Connect and Blight/Beauty at Smock Alley Theatre. She is a recipient of the Creative Arts Residency at the Tara Building, and her work has been commissioned by leading organisations such as Dublin Bus and Insomnia Coffee Company, in addition to private collectors around the world. 

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Before fully dedicating herself to visual arts, Karen had a dynamic career in theatre and film production. As the Coordinator of the Full-Time Actor Training Programme at the Gaiety School of Acting, the National Theatre School of Ireland, she played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of emerging actors, producing graduation showcases and bridging the gap between education and the professional world. Additionally, Karen worked as a Production Manager with Bodecci Film, headed up by leading director Laura Way (Maxine, Dead and Buried, Eastenders, Red Rock) and has produced theatre in iconic venues including the National Opera House, Viking Theatre and Project Arts Centre.

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In 2023, Karen became the first Artist-in-Residence at the Bayside Community Centre, where she founded the Sow’s Ear Collective, a platform for artists to explore and exhibit work rooted in community and collaboration. The collective’s debut exhibition, HOLDING SPACE, showcased the diverse and innovative voices within the community. Her community-based documentary project, Bayside Stories, partly funded by Fingal County Council, was aired on DCTV, further highlighting her commitment to integrating art into everyday life. In early 2024, she stepped into the role of Production Designer for Tracy Martin’s short film Coast, blending her visual artistry with her background in film production. 

In October 2024, alongside good friend and DJ Audrey Lawless, Karen launched the podcast, Namaste Happy, on Spotify, which focuses on finding the happiness in everyday life through interviews with various guests. 

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In March 2025, her piece ‘Spire’ was exhibited in Hambly & Hambly, Enniskillen as part of the Finalists Exhibition for the The John Richardson Artist Residency which she was shortlisted for. 

From 10th June to 31st July, Karen’s first international solo exhibition ‘Twixt Land & Longing’ will take place in the London Irish Centre in Camden.