spirit

Lee Andreason, Retrospective - October 2006

It is interesting to see, in the gallery, the emotional response of the public to art. This seems especially strong in regard to sculpture. Lee makes bronzes, particularly of horses, and people love them. They stroke them, pat them and even talk to them. So what is it about Lee's work that inspires these reactions?

Technically they are excellent: she uses water-base clay to sculpt without armatures and employs a foundry in Antequera to create moulds and cast limited editions in bronze, in a range of sizes and style.

However good the technique, and the knowledge of horse anatomy that underpins this, it is the passion for horses that shines out from her work. Lee was raised in Oregon, in a very creative and horse loving family, and these formative influences have informed her professional life.

Lee studied widely at colleges and universities, learning the technical aspects of her craft over many years of apprenticeship with Jack Miller and Tony Priola, her mentor. Alongside this grew what can only be called the spiritual aspects of the work, the need "to capture the soul of the piece" and project also the spirituality of nature. This means a great deal to her. She sees her role in the world as of helping people feel their connection to nature through the horse.

Her equine figures frequently show ancient, mythological & war horses. Each piece has it's own story and essence and are represented in their very individual ways; Atavar is smooth and elegant, El Noble is strong and chunky, and others are representations of horses she has owned and loved. Also to enjoy in her work are the graceful human sculptures, a dramatic Picasso mask, and currently, dancers of the tango.

zenith

Lee moved to Spain from America in 1999, and has her home and studio in the campo outside Jimena de la Frontera. She continues to exhibit internationally as she always has, in the most prestigious galleries and settings.