CLIFF LEEP O R C E L A I N

A journey inspired by nature.

CLI FF LEECliff Lee combines the tradition of historic Chinese ceramics with his own contemporary design aesthetic. The refined vessels he creates are the product of a keen eye and an inquisitive mind. His respect for the achievements of his ceramic forbearers is evident in his ongoing efforts to develop new glazes that respond to classic Chinese clay surfaces. Some of these glazes have been lost for centuries and Lee has introduced these after considerable research and experimentation. Going beyond mere recreation, Lee adds visual elements that distinguish his work as contemporary and individual. In these precise porcelain pieces, he attenuates the shapes of his vessels and carves forms. He also assembles increasingly complex and unusual plant, floral, and vegetative components as additions to the surfaces of some of his works. While referring to historic pieces, Lee’s resulting combinations of glaze and form are clearly the product of a 21st-century master. His intense gaze and deft hand also infuse Lee’s ceramics with a spirituality that is palpable and astounding.

Bruce W. PepichExecutive Director and Curator of CollectionsRacine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin

©2014 Cliff Lee, all rights reservedPhotography by Douglas Lee

“Cliff Lee’s vessels are among the finest examples of American artists working in

porcelain today.” ~ Michael Monroe, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Renwick Gallery

Cliff Lee’s work has been exhibited around the worldand featured in numerous publications, including:The White House Collection of American CraftsCraft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and ObjectsSkilled Work: American Craft in the Renwick GalleryHistory in the Making: Renwick Craft InvitationalBest of Pottery, Volume IBest of Pottery, Volume II

The artist carves with X-acto knives, dental tools and duct-taped saw blades. He has

never had an assistant or hired work out.

He does everything himself, from mixing the clay and glazes to

carving and firing.

“This porcelain vessel with a classic celadon glaze ... has few equals in contemporary

American porcelain.”~ Kenneth R. Trapp

Smithsonian American Art MuseumRenwick Gallery

The magic of Lee’s vessels comes not only from the fineness of the porcelain but also from the way it holds and disperses light.

`

“If there’s no challenge, what is life for?”

~ Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee came into prominence in 1993 when he was invited to contribute a piece of his work to the White House Collection of American Crafts.

Two years later his work was in the permanent collection of the

Smithsonian American ArtMuseum’s Renwick Gallery.

The artist’s “Prickly Melons” with Imperial Yellow glaze caught the eye of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which acquired a pair for its

permanent collection - a rare distinction for a living artist.

It took Cliff Lee 17 years to recreate the formula for the Imperial Yellow glaze of the 15th-century Ming court.

The glaze is one of his biggest discoveries.

“This is some of the most exquisitely made work I have ever seen in clay.”

~ Nicholas BellSmithsonian American Art Museum

Renwick Gallery

Cliff Lee “stands alone in his sensitivity to the source and the intensity with which he channels China’s ceramic past into contemporary American work.”

~ From the exhibition catalogue

‘History in the Making: Renwick Craft Invitational 2011’

“I always want to keep moving, to do new work and new things, to go one

step beyond, so I can grow.” ~ Cliff Lee

Permanent CollectionsCarnegie Museum of Art - Pittsburgh PAColumbia Museum of Art - Columbia, SCCrocker Art Museum - Sacramento, CA

Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York, NYMint Museum of Craft & Design - Charlotte, NC

New Britain Museum of American Art - New Britain, CTRacine Art Museum - Racine, WI

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery - Washington, DCUniversity of Kentucky Art Museum - Lexington, KY

White House Collection of American Crafts - Washington, DCYale University Art Gallery - New Haven, CT

ExhibitionsTampa Museum of Art - Tampa, FLFuller Craft Museum - Brockton, MATaft College Art Gallery - Taft, CAPalm Springs Art Museum - Palm Springs, CAJimmy Carter Presidential Library - Atlanta, GAColby College Museum of Art - Waterville, MEArt Museum of Western Virginia - Roanoke, VAMint Museum of Craft & Design - Charlotte, NCLos Angeles County Museum of Art - Los Angeles, CAHouston Center for Contemporary Craft - Houston, TXPortland Museum of Contemporary Craft - Portland, ORThe University of Michigan Museum of Art - Ann Arbor, MIWhite House Collection of American Crafts - Washington, DCMemorial Art Gallery, University of Rochester - Rochester, NYNational Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, OKSmithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery - Washington, DCNew Britain Museum of American Art, “Contemporary Combustion” - New Britain, CT

ExhibitionsVirginia Museum - Richmond, VA

Arkansas Art Center - Little Rock, AR Peabody Essex Museum - Salem, MAMuseum of Fine Art - Springfield, MADowney Museum of Art - Downey, CA

Crocker Art Museum - Sacramento, CADelaware Art Museum - Wilmington, DEAmerican Craft Museum - New York, NYDecorative Art Museum - Little Rock, AKCarnegie Museum of Art - Pittsburgh, PA

Art Association of Newport - Newport, RICranbrook Art Museum - Bloomfield Hills, MIMetropolitan Museum of Art - New York, NY

Mingei International Museum - San Diego, CACharles A. Wustum, Museum of Fine Art, “Once upon a Time” - Racine, WI

Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University - Evanston, IL

”I want my work to express a sensitive and honest use of the material and technique. I hope it will embody the eternal quality of aesthetic joy.” ~ Cliff Lee

170 W. Girl Scout Road | Stevens, PA 17578(717) 733-9373 | www.CliffLeePorcelain.com