Alexander Lichtveld studied ceramics at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie under Jan van der Vaart from 1973 until 1978.
He has been creating ceramic objects since he graduated until today.
In the early years, the objects were architectural, geometric and not readily associated with the ceramic
craft. The objects , constructed from plates of clay , do not at first sight seem like the material
of which they are made.
The skin (engobes), the colour palette and the austere finish create the illusion that we are looking
at an entirely different material.
Nevertheless, Lichtveld is devoted to clay, or as he himself once said: "I am a sculptor who bakes his
own stone."
Until 1985 he worked in series, a series of works with the same premise.
After having lived, worked and exhibited in Japan for longer periods, the series were discontinued
and he started to create more autonomous objects.
The architectural element of the earlier objects is now complemented by a more story-telling style
of working; round shapes, curves and new themes appear.
Lichtveld says: "After years of working with straight lines, surfaces, volumes and the way in
which these aspects interrelate, I felt that I sort of understood. That was the moment that
space was created for more irrational and unpredictable work.
Since then, most objects have been given a title.
Themes from earlier objects re-appear years later in another form, new themes appear,
in the never-ending pursuit of creating new objects.
A.L.: "I continue to be amazed by the endless possibilities when creating a new object.
Whenever I think I have seen it all, a new perspective appears with a new shape landscape and
new possibilities. The challenge lies in making the right choices."
In the middle of this dynamic process of creation, each object demands and provides its own space
and calm.
The silence and contemplation can be found in almost all objects.
A.L.: "You could look at my objects in the same way you look at a Japanese Zen garden.
What I see is a setting created by people and representing nature.
All elements, materials, sizes and colours in that kind of garden have been placed there
to appear coincidental and natural, as in nature.
The opposite is true.
The knowledge that this has all been created and thought about while appearing natural,
in a way that you never encounter in nature, that phenomenon has always fascinated me.
You are looking at something that is really something else. That is when it becomes exciting."
Alexander Lichtveld’s work has been included in various museums, corporate collections and private collections at home and abroad.
nr. 1
"Eleven"
h 23x46x16.5cm
nr.2
"Niche"
h 17x36.5x12.5cm
nr.3
"Two souls dreaming"
h 22x25x35cm
Terug naar de stockpagina.