Linda Lees opens her debut solo exhibition at MAMA

Linda Lees spend the first decades of her creative practice as a photographer. She enjoyed the sense of order, precision, and process.

This sense of perfection is evident in her new body of work Curves and Crisp Edges - a series of ceramic sculptures exploring form, shape and finishes.

Linda describes herself as a maker, and has fallen into ceramics wholeheartedly. She has fitted out a home studio with a kiln, and is part way through completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts specialising in sculpture.

Lee continues, "I was hesitant at first to get into the academic side of things, I just enjoy the making so much. But studying sculpture helps me understand the other side of things, the ideas, the concepts, and the history a bit better."

Linda is active in several artist collectives in North East Victoria, including the Broken River Potters. "I love the support we give each other, and just the advice and tips, different approaches to doing things, I’ve learned a lot."

However, experimenting in a shared studio situation can sometimes be perilous. ‘Recently I made a piece out of an earthenware material that requires a lower heat. It was accidentally put into a high heat kiln at the shared studio. The work melted into a puddle, and went all over the pieces next to it. I felt terrible about it. Now I can control everything at home and these little experiments won’t ruin anyone else’s work!’

Linda completed the works in this exhibition in 2018, and is now working on a new series inspired by significant Australian rock formations, such as Wave Rock in Western Australia and the Devils Marbles in the Northern Territory.

Curves and Crisp Edges continued until Sunday 9 June.