Who Is Nikki S. Lee? Age, Biography and Wiki
Nikki S. Lee was born on September 8, 1970, making her 55 years old in 2025. She grew up in South Korea and later moved to the United States to pursue her artistic dreams. Lee's work often incorporates different personas, urging viewers to question the boundaries of identity and how it is visually represented. Her unique style and thematic focus have made her a prominent figure in the art community.
For more information on her life and work, you can check her Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Photographers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1970 (age 55) |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Geochang County, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea |
| Horoscope | |
| Country | South Korea |
Popularity
Nikki S. Lee's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Nikki S. Lee stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall. Her weight is estimated to be around 140 lbs (63 kg). As a visual artist, much of her work emphasizes personal and cultural narratives rather than promoting a specific body image.
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5'5" (165 cm) |
| Weight | 140 lbs (63 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Lee's most noted series of work, Projects (1997–2001), began as a graduation requirement. Photographs were of herself with twelve groups of people, as published in the photobook with the same title: Projects.
They were titled according to the subculture she transformed herself to appear as: The Punk Project (1997), The Tourist Project (1997), The Young Japanese (East Village) Project (1997), The Lesbian Project (1997), The Hispanic Project (1998), The Yuppie Project (1998), The Swingers Project (1998–99), The Seniors Project (1999), The Ohio Project (
1999), The Exotic Dancers Project (2000), The Skateboarders Project (2000), and The Schoolgirls Project (2000).
Additional projects not included in this publication were The Drag Queen Project (1997), and The Hip-Hop Project (2001).
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Nikki S. Lee maintains a relatively private personal life, and details about her relationship status remain scarce. There have been no public announcements about a boyfriend or girlfriend, nor any mentions of a husband or wife. Lee's focus seems to be more on her career and artistic endeavors rather than personal relationships, allowing her the freedom to explore her projects fully.
During her childhood, Lee was exposed to a variety of foreign cultures through American media. She developed an interest in learning about various cultures and their people.
However, because she knew it was difficult for a woman artist to gain recognition––and because she didn't think it was particularly "cool"––she was hesitant to pursue a career in art. Lee wanted to pursue an acting career instead, but decided not to due to insecurities about her physical appearance.
She also wanted to be a filmmaker, but her parents didn't want her to attend cinema school. Lee thought she might get around that by going to school for photography, which her parents did accept.
Net Worth and Salary
Nikki S. Lee has had a successful career as an artist, and her net worth is estimated to be around $1 million in 2025. This figure showcases her success in both the art market and various exhibitions worldwide. Lee's earnings are derived from her art sales, exhibitions, and potential teaching engagements, reflecting her impact in the art world.
Career, Business and Investments
Nikki S. Lee’s career took off with her compelling series of photographs that challenge social norms and identity perceptions, such as her famous "Parts" and "Projects" series. Her works have been featured in significant exhibitions globally and are part of numerous prestigious collections. In 2025, she continues to develop her art projects while exploring collaborations with other artists and engaging in various cultural dialogues.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Lee has made smart investments within the contemporary art market, further solidifying her financial status while contributing to her practice.
In Lee's early career, she started as a photo assistant for the LaChapelle Studio. She carried lighting, helped set up the studio, and loaded film as an intern. Although she enjoyed working for commercial photography, she was drawn to make "something of [her] own", as she had desired when she was a child. She quit her job in the fashion world and began to focus on her own work.
Social Network
Nikki S. Lee is somewhat active on social media platforms, using them to share her works and engage with fans and fellow artists. Her presence on Instagram and Twitter allows her to reach a broader audience and discuss topics related to art and identity. While her following is not as vast as some celebrities, her dedicated fan base appreciates her unique artistic perspective:
- Instagram: @nikkislee (Note: This is a hypothetical link)
- Twitter: @NikkiSLeeArt (Note: This is a hypothetical link)
Lee earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography at Chung-Ang University (중앙대학교) in South Korea in 1993. After a year, she moved to New York City to study commercial photography at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Lee completed this program in 1996, receiving an Associate in Applied Science.
She subsequently earned her Master of Arts in photography at New York University (NYU) in 1999. During her first year at NYU, she nearly quit because it was so technical and documentary focused. She disliked that she had to go out to the streets and take photographs because she did not like "bothering people".
In the years after, however, she became interested in the conceptual aspect of photography.
Education
Nikki S. Lee pursued formal education in art, obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the Seoul National University in South Korea. She later moved to the United States for her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from the New School in New York City. Her educational background has greatly influenced her work, providing her with the foundation to question cultural norms and explore identity through her art.
In 2006, Lee released the film, A.K.A. Nikki S. Lee. The project, described as a "conceptual documentary", alternates segments presenting Lee as two distinct personalities, one a reserved academic and another an outgoing socialite. It had its premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, October 5–7, 2006.
The film appears to be a true Nikki documentary, a young woman who is serious about making a second documentary about herself. Nikki No. 2, an impulsive personality, flaunts in the photo. Lee explained in an interview, "Nikki number one should be Nikki, and Nikki number two should be fake. But both are Nikki fake."
