{"id":9253,"date":"2025-01-23T14:34:25","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T13:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/?p=9253"},"modified":"2025-01-23T14:34:43","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T13:34:43","slug":"ertelmes-formak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/ertelmes-formak\/","title":{"rendered":"Meaningful forms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nicholas Lees spent decades refining research-led processes to create dynamic and innovative sculptures. Annie Le Santo talked to him to find out more.<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-365036138\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-505243988\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1982561522\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Floating-Bowl-pair-21.47-21.50-1118x727-1.jpg\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1118\" height=\"727\" src=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Floating-Bowl-pair-21.47-21.50-1118x727-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Floating-Bowl-pair-21.47-21.50-1118x727-1.jpg 1118w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Floating-Bowl-pair-21.47-21.50-1118x727-1-615x400.jpg 615w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Floating-Bowl-pair-21.47-21.50-1118x727-1-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Floating-Bowl-pair-21.47-21.50-1118x727-1-500x325.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1118px) 100vw, 1118px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1982561522 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-2044401059\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p>When you first approach the statues of Nicholas Lees, you may think that you are actually looking at animated objects. Are they rotating on a turntable or are they made of moving parts? That's the magic of Lees' work. With its careful construction and intelligent use of materials, it captivates your gaze, creating lifeless forms that come alive, throb, or breathe as you move around them.<\/p>\n<p>His sophisticated practice combines years of intensive learning, teaching and experimentation. However, making ceramics was not his childhood dream, which was obvious to him. He was born into a family of doctors in a hampshire village and was initially not encouraged to pursue a creative career. \u201cI remember having a distant and vague feeling that I wanted to do things,\u201d he says. \u2013 But that was not a particularly strong urge at the time.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1178277649\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-160297120\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p><strong>CERAMIC BREAKDOWN<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lees first encountered clay when he was a teenager, when a local maker approached him during the summer break and asked him to model some of the figurative busts they had made. Later, at school, he took art as a fourth subject on Level, where his teacher was ceramist Stephen Murfitt. \u2018Stephen showed me Raku firing and showed me Hans Coper\u2019s work,\u2019 he explains. \u2013 These two things captured me.<\/p>\n<p>In college, Lees became passionate about ceramics, but his parents had reservations. Agreed: He first studied English and History at Kent University. If he wanted to continue his creative passion after graduation, his parents agreed to support his education in ceramics. In 1989, after graduating in English and History, Lees insisted on his decision, and his parents fulfilled their promise and enrolled in a BA ceramics course at Bristol University of Technology.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was very generous to my parents, but in Bristol I felt like a fish from the water, coming from such a different academic background and not having an Art Foundation degree,\u201d he admits. \u201cHowever, I was lucky that Walter Keeler taught me how to throw. He is a genius and has passed on a lot of ceramic knowledge, as well as his specific way of thinking about \u2018pot-making\u2019.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-422019113\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_537537501\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-Lees-Red-Grail-21.14-Parian-porcelain-and-soluble-gold-H21cm-photo-Jon-Furley-1118x1488-1.jpg\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1118\" height=\"1488\" src=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-Lees-Red-Grail-21.14-Parian-porcelain-and-soluble-gold-H21cm-photo-Jon-Furley-1118x1488-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-Lees-Red-Grail-21.14-Parian-porcelain-and-soluble-gold-H21cm-photo-Jon-Furley-1118x1488-1.jpg 1118w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-Lees-Red-Grail-21.14-Parian-porcelain-and-soluble-gold-H21cm-photo-Jon-Furley-1118x1488-1-301x400.jpg 301w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-Lees-Red-Grail-21.14-Parian-porcelain-and-soluble-gold-H21cm-photo-Jon-Furley-1118x1488-1-601x800.jpg 601w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-Lees-Red-Grail-21.14-Parian-porcelain-and-soluble-gold-H21cm-photo-Jon-Furley-1118x1488-1-768x1022.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-Lees-Red-Grail-21.14-Parian-porcelain-and-soluble-gold-H21cm-photo-Jon-Furley-1118x1488-1-500x665.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1118px) 100vw, 1118px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_537537501 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1260151918\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-870582664\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_748510911\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1.jpg\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1118\" height=\"1709\" src=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1.jpg 1118w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1-262x400.jpg 262w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1-523x800.jpg 523w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1-768x1174.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1-1005x1536.jpg 1005w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/19.35-5-1118x1709-1-500x764.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1118px) 100vw, 1118px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_748510911 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1469860802\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p>Despite the fact that this approach to studio ceramics is fundamental to Lees' degree, he no longer identifies with it today. Since he chose to describe himself as a \u2018sculptor\u2019, he considers clay to be his medium rather than his profession. \u2018One of the curiosities of ceramics is the breadth of practice, which includes design, crafts, media, sculpture, fine arts, whatever you call it,\u2019 he explains. \u201cI am interested in everything, but I consider ceramics to be my material next to the drawing. I am fascinated primarily by the role of materiality and processes in relation to ideas and concepts.<\/p>\n<p>In Bristol, Lees focused on making dishes by hand winding, then later learned sliding casting and worked part-time as an auxiliary caster. But to the one who always wants to ask why? \u201cI think I have always been a person who questioned the reasons behind things,\u201d he says. \u201cSomehow I was engaged in a process or two, and it was more austerity than liberation at the time. I wanted to expand and explore the wider ways of form generation.<\/p>\n<p>To satisfy this urge, he later obtained a master's degree in ceramics at Cardiff. There, Lees discovered himself in a close community of peers and in an environment that encourages experimentation and mutual learning. \u2018I came out of this stage after I had completely moved away from pot-making and instead worked with the hybrid method of sliding casting, carving and building,\u2019 he explains. \u2013 And this work later evolved into work thrown and turned by a lathe, of which I am probably the best known.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-703453087\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1878762007\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p><strong>ELEMENT OF VIEW<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Today, Lees' ceramics are incredibly sophisticated and precise, yet expressive. Their structure is rooted in their unwavering commitment to thoroughly questioning their materials and processes about the environment around them. \u2018The cross-sections are a common thread in my work,\u2019 he says. \u2018I am interested in positive and negative space, the boundaries of the pieces of space, and the dialogue between surface and form.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>All these aspects are fundamental to Lees' practice, but under the conceptual elements they focus on triggering surprise. \u2018I always try to surprise myself and find new ways to see the world,\u2019 he explains.<\/p>\n<p>Most of his work is a significant investment of time. Beyond the structure of the pieces themselves, the depth of thought is also remarkable. In 2010, he deepened his practice by participating in a \u2018MPhil Through Project\u2019 at the Royal College of Art. \u201cI worked and studied in the academy for a long time, which significantly influenced my way of working,\u201d Lees explains. \u201cThe rigorous method of asking the question and the research-led processes help us find the answer \u2013 it takes us to surprising places and discovers new ways to make things.\u201d<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-955451630\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_618277635\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.48-l-1118x1374-1.jpg\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1118\" height=\"1374\" src=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.48-l-1118x1374-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.48-l-1118x1374-1.jpg 1118w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.48-l-1118x1374-1-325x400.jpg 325w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.48-l-1118x1374-1-651x800.jpg 651w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.48-l-1118x1374-1-768x944.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.48-l-1118x1374-1-500x614.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1118px) 100vw, 1118px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_618277635 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1058450120\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1657529849\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_1627806275\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.30_01-1118x745-1.jpg\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1118\" height=\"745\" src=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.30_01-1118x745-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.30_01-1118x745-1.jpg 1118w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.30_01-1118x745-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.30_01-1118x745-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/21.30_01-1118x745-1-500x333.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1118px) 100vw, 1118px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_1627806275 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-2124492272\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p>Lees introduced a distinctive method of coloring the fine edges of his sculptures. Does not involve traditional slips, stains or glaze; Instead, it uses unique chemical reaction strategies that are unusual in ceramics. \u2018I basically use solutions of metal salts. This is a saturation and evaporation process\", he said.<\/p>\n<p>Not only is the chemistry fascinating, but the illusion of movement in Lees' work is truly extraordinary and one that must be experienced personally in order to be fully appreciated. The sliced edges of the sculptures create the illusion that they move within the space, expand and withdraw depending on the angle from which they are viewed. \u2018I try to create an aura around my forms, as if they were breathing,\u2019 he says. \u201cI have been doing this work for 10 or 12 years and I am still surprised by what I see. In the studio, light can change, and the pieces look new in some way.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-476100852\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-980760559\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p><strong>PERSONAL PRACTICE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After 25 years of teaching ceramics, Lees is teaching less and less to make more and more. He has won numerous awards and has exhibited his art all over the world. In his field of expertise he stands firm and his work is praised by institutions and collectors alike. Despite its results, it does not plan to slow down anytime soon. Its objectives are clear: continue to create and pursue the element of surprise that you desire. His enthusiasm for exploring every aspect of his practice, the meticulous construction of each piece in the hope of discovering something new, reflects a deep passion.<\/p>\n<p>This commitment extends to the exploration of new materials and the expansion of the relationship between his drawings and sculptures. Lees' achievements throughout his career and the impressive visual impact of his work undeniably confirmed his commitment and interest in ceramics, which he enthusiastically maintained even after his first degree. \u201cI am incredibly grateful to make a living from what I love,\u201d he admits. \u2018Even if I didn\u2019t have to, that\u2019s how I would always choose my time.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>For more information, please visit the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nicholaslees.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nicholaslees.com<\/a><\/strong> sideways<\/p>\n<p>Pictures: courtesy of the artist; Sylvain Deleu; Jon Furley; Russell Sach<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1025313048\" class=\"col medium-6 small-12 large-6\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_371915521\">\n\t\t<a class=\"image-lightbox lightbox-gallery\" title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1.jpg\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner dark\" >\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1118\" height=\"1677\" src=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-original size-original\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1.jpg 1118w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1-267x400.jpg 267w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Nicholas-2-RS-1118x1677-1-500x750.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1118px) 100vw, 1118px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\n<style>\n#image_371915521 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nicholas Lees spent decades refining research-led processes to create dynamic and innovative sculptures. Annie Le Santo talked to him to find out more.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1130,"featured_media":9256,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[107,85,95],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-design","category-blog","category-sajtokozlemeny"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9253"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9253\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9263,"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9253\/revisions\/9263"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eccehome.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}