Cliff 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 <br />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 <br />surfaces. Some of these glazes have been lost for centuries and Lee has introduced these after considerable research and experimentation. Going beyond mere recreation, <br />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 <br />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 <br />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. <br />Bruce W. Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections <br />Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin
