06/25/2026
I am deeply sad to hear that one of my favorite people, Cc Lee, has died. My heart goes out to his wife Shou Fong and his daughter Fang Ling, who also lost their beloved daughter and sister, Sing Ling, just a few months ago.
I first met C.C. At the One of a Kind show in Chicago in 1999. Dazzled by his art, I asked if he would be interested in selling his work in my new gallery. He scowled at me and walked away. I couldn’t blame him. We had both paid top dollar hoping to make major retail sales. Fast forward several years and we are neighbors at a show in Tampa. Saturday, our sales were great. Sunday was a washout and they closed the show before it even started. I pulled my van in to load up, C.C. Pulled in next to me but I could see he would have to haul his stuff half as far if i moved so he could pull in closer. He objected and said “No extra work for anyone today.” I said “Well, that’s why I’m going to move.” Later he said, “If there is ever anything that I can do for you, let me know.” I said well, actually there is… and that is how I came to sell his masterpieces in my gallery and more importantly, how a friendship with one of my favorite artists began.
For more than 20 years, whenever I went to Florida, I always stopped at his home to visit and buy his ceramic work. He and Shou Ping would always cook up a delicious lunch or dinner and invite me to stay over. It was an invitation hard to refuse, so whenever possible, I would stay there. Such fun and festive times! C.C. Would spontaneously start singing opera while cooking dinner or while sharing a beer or tea.
I usually stayed with them on my way back to Providence. In the morning after a mighty fine breakfast, we would load up the van with his work. Then they would load me up with so much food for my trip that there was no need for me to stop for eats all the way home.
The Mad Monk has met his maker.
