Japanese-born Lieh Sugai is a visual artist based in New York, specializing in photography and video. Her work explores the shared memories between people and places, reflecting on how they evolve through time, events, and cultural shifts. Utilizing her dual perspective as a Japanese immigrant living in America, she brings a unique depth to her art.
While studying Graphic Design at Pratt Institute, Lieh discovered a profound connection to photography, which soon became her primary means of navigating and conveying diverse cultural landscapes, seamlessly blending conceptual and documentary practices.
Lieh was awarded the 2024 En Foco Photography Fellowship and named a finalist in the Penumbra Foundation 2024 Workspace Program. Her work has been exhibited at Foley Gallery in New York, as well as internationally at Les Rencontres d’Arles in France and 10 14 Gallery in London. Additionally, her photography has been featured in The Washington Post and Fisheye Magazine. She is a member of Women Photograph and Diversify Photo.
While studying Graphic Design at Pratt Institute, Lieh discovered a profound connection to photography, which soon became her primary means of navigating and conveying diverse cultural landscapes, seamlessly blending conceptual and documentary practices.
Lieh was awarded the 2024 En Foco Photography Fellowship and named a finalist in the Penumbra Foundation 2024 Workspace Program. Her work has been exhibited at Foley Gallery in New York, as well as internationally at Les Rencontres d’Arles in France and 10 14 Gallery in London. Additionally, her photography has been featured in The Washington Post and Fisheye Magazine. She is a member of Women Photograph and Diversify Photo.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
2023
British Journal of Photography / OpenWalls Arles // Winner
2021
Review Santa Fe 100 Photographers 2021 // Premier Juried Portfolio Review
Belfast Photo Festival 2021 // Shortlist
2016
IPA International Photography Awards 2015 // 2nd Place
SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024
Members Gallery 2024 // Penumbra Foundation, New York, NY
inQuiete Festival // Rome, Italy
En Foco Fellowship Group Exhibition // WallWorks Gallery, Bronx, NY
Photoville Festival // Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NYCorrespondence // Baxter St at Camera Club NY, New York, NY
Photoville Festival // Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, NYCorrespondence // Baxter St at Camera Club NY, New York, NY
2023
OpenWalls Arles // Galerie Huit Arles, Arles, France
Photobook As Object // Reminders Photography Stronghold, Tokyo, Japan
Photobook As Object // RPS Kyoto Paperoles/Kyotographie Photo Festival, Kyoto, Japan
Photobook As Object // Reminders Photography Stronghold, Tokyo, Japan
Photobook As Object // RPS Kyoto Paperoles/Kyotographie Photo Festival, Kyoto, Japan
2022
Palm* Photo Prize Exhibition // 10 14 Gallery, London, England
2018
The Family of No Man, Cosmos // Les Rencontres d’Arles, Arles, France
2017
Analog vs. Digital // Foley Gallery, New York, NY
Around the World in 80 Days // Mart Photography Center, Yekaterinburg, Russia
Day/Night // Pratt Institute CCPS Gallery, New York, NY
Around the World in 80 Days // Mart Photography Center, Yekaterinburg, Russia
Day/Night // Pratt Institute CCPS Gallery, New York, NY
2016
The Last March Hare // Rabbithole Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
PUBLICATIONS
2024
2021
ARTIST TALK
2024
En Foco 2024 Photography Fellowship
AFFILIATIONS
2022
EDUCATION
2019
School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
2016
International Center of Photography, New York, NY
2000
AA—Graphic Design, Pratt Institute, New York, NY
1993
BS—Economics, Meiji Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan