Hatnim Lee is a Brooklyn-based photographer specialising in portraiture, creative direction, and editorial storytelling. For her first visit to Thailand, she has chosen to undertake a residency at Studio 88, where she will engage with local communities through photography, exploring the people, cultures, and traditions of Northern Thailand.
A graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from George Washington University (2005), Lee’s practice centres on people, place, and the complexities of cultural identity. Her photography often focuses on underrepresented communities, including the LGBTQ+ fashion scene, Native American communities in Montana, and Mennonite communities in rural Pennsylvania. Through careful observation and an empathetic visual language, she explores the social and cultural narratives embedded within everyday life.
Lee’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, and Vogue. Her work has been presented in solo exhibitions across Los Angeles, London, Washington, D.C., Berlin, Belgrade, and Athens, reflecting an internationally recognised practice that bridges documentary photography with contemporary visual storytelling.
During her residency at Studio 88 in July-August 2026, Lee will undertake her first visit to Thailand, where she hopes to engage with local communities through photography. Drawn to niche cultures and lived traditions, she is interested in exploring the cultural landscape of Northern Thailand, including the lives of the Kayan (long-neck) community and the complex conversations surrounding their representation. She is also fascinated by Buddhist monastic life and looks forward to learning more about local temples, religious traditions, and the ways these cultural practices continue to shape everyday life.
More about the artist on Hatnim Lee’s website.
Studio 88 accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Check out our residency program and apply now.
Studio 88 Artist Residency 