Denver artist's giant wall of dumplings speaks to Asian diaspora

Sammy Seung-min Lee's 'Becoming Motherland' exhibition at MCA Denver explores identity and cultural duality.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:41pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of a pile of colorful, textured ceramic dumplings in various shapes and sizes, shot with dramatic lighting to create a luxurious, high-fashion aesthetic.A vibrant display of handcrafted ceramic dumplings, representing the rich cultural tapestry of the Asian diaspora.Denver Today

Denver artist Sammy Seung-min Lee's new solo exhibition 'Becoming Motherland' at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver explores her journey toward understanding self-identity as a Korean immigrant to the United States. The show features large-scale, multimedia works that draw on Lee's experiences of leaving Korea as a teenager, changing her name, and connecting with an unfamiliar country to start her own new family.

Why it matters

Lee's work tackles the complex and often contradictory feelings of being caught between cultures, a common experience for many in the Asian diaspora. By using clever materials and personal narratives, she creates thought-provoking art that resonates with broader themes of identity, belonging, and the privilege and pain of cultural duality.

The details

The exhibition includes pieces like 'Complex Silence,' a giant styrofoam and cardboard microphone coated in traditional Korean mulberry paper, which symbolizes Lee's desire to speak and be understood despite cultural confusion. Another work, 'Dumpling Diaspora,' features hundreds of ceramic dumplings in various regional styles, demonstrating the diversity and overlapping ideas of Asian cultures. Other exhibits like 'Accolade' and 'Nagging' also incorporate personal elements like Lee's anglicized name and her mother's parental advice.

  • Lee was named a Fulbright Scholar in 2023, which enabled her to spend a year in Korea and create many of the pieces in the 'Becoming Motherland' exhibition.
  • The exhibition is on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver through July 5, 2026.

The players

Sammy Seung-min Lee

A Denver-based artist who moved to the United States from Korea over 30 years ago as a teenager. Her work explores themes of identity, cultural duality, and the Asian diaspora experience.

Leilani Lynch

The curator who wrote the text accompanying Lee's 'Becoming Motherland' exhibition, describing her work as 'playful and poignant.'

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

The museum hosting Lee's solo exhibition 'Becoming Motherland' through July 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Lee's work tends to be rich, thought-provoking, and hyper-personal, but fully engaging in her use of clever materials and the occasional laugh-out-loud punchline.”

— Leilani Lynch, Curator

What’s next

The 'Becoming Motherland' exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver will be on display through July 5, 2026, giving visitors the opportunity to experience Sammy Seung-min Lee's exploration of identity and cultural duality.

The takeaway

Sammy Seung-min Lee's 'Becoming Motherland' exhibition provides a powerful and personal perspective on the Asian diaspora experience, using creative and thought-provoking artworks to connect with broader themes of belonging, privilege, and the complexities of cultural identity.