Daphne Lee, a Singaporean-born Chinese paper artist, is the creative mind behind JUDiTH+ROLFE.  Specializing in contemporary dimensional artwork composed of on-edge paper strips, her inspiration comes from the beauty in nature, light and shadow, architecture, and geometry.

With a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University, Daphne worked as an architect in New York City for a decade before discovering her passion for paper crafting.  After moving to Minneapolis–Saint Paul, she launched JUDiTH+ROLFE in 2016, and has since relocated to Virginia.  Daphne was chosen to participate in the American Craft Council’s Emerging Artist Cohort in 2021.

JUDiTH+ROLFE artwork has been displayed in galleries and museums, as well as in private collections globally.  The work has been featured on media outlets like Twin Cities PBS and Colossal.  In addition to fine art commissions, JUDiTH+ROLFE has collaborated with art consultants, editorial teams, and corporate clients, including Allbirds, Estée Lauder, Fiskars, Hoegaarden, and The Ritz-Carlton.

Daphne is a proud member of the Paper Artist Collective (PAC), American Craft Council, Nest Artisan Guild, and International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists (IAPMA).

ARTIST STATEMENT

As an artist, my goal is to create engaging, inspirational, and accessible artwork that speaks to everyone. I prefer to work with paper because it is an everyday material that is widely available and offers endless possibilities for creative expression.

My self-taught technique involves gluing individual strips of paper on their edges, a process that echoes the traditional craft of quilling or paper filigree work, which has been practiced for centuries.  As someone with a background in architecture, design, and photography, I re-imagine this ancient technique with a contemporary twist.  I approach my practice with intention, taking my time and repeating the process in a meditative manner, challenging the expectations of the method and the medium.

I draw inspiration from nature as a universal language, with flora being a prominent theme in my artwork.  I strive to bring the beauty of the natural world indoors, creating a calming space that invites viewers to slow down and breathe.  My paper sculptures occupy an intriguing space between two and three dimensions, with light and shadow being integral elements of the composition.  The artwork responds to the surrounding light and changes as the viewer's perspective shifts, providing a one-of-a-kind visual experience.

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