ABOUT

"I have been a figurative sculptor since childhood. My studio contains examples of my earliest work, before age ten. At 25 I made the decision to work only inside the field of sculpture. As I traveled and matured, my exposure to museums and other figurative artists increased my understanding of classical figures.
I am mainly self-taught. I believe that my work is a continuation, a bridge from the 19th century romantics to current figurative sculpture. I bring the simplistic, clean line of the 20th century to sensitive figurative work that resounds with psychological and emotional language. My figures are realistic without photo-realism; they are rooted in classicism, yet grow out of today's issues.
My representations are of humans who are self-assured, self-contained, even stoic in some instances. They are quiet and beautiful pieces. Learning to make clean classical figures has allowed me to go a step further, into deconstructivism. I created my first bronze figurative fragments for myself 20 years ago, in response to intriguing pieces I had seen in museums. The first few I called 'museum fragments.' Their popularity has grown as others recognize the psychological implications."

Impressions of a Mike Leckie exhibition:

As one enters the gallery, the eyes go directly to the brightly lit figure of a young woman, with her hair and dress kissed lightly by a soft afternoon breeze.

 Next to her, another young woman perched momentarily, with her leg extended, as she pauses to tie back her hair with a slight filigree of ribbon. 

These bronzes at first glace, reflect a classic sculpture background, but surprise with an edge so obviously modern, at close examination.

The first piece is the goddess, Nike. She bends slightly , taking a second to tie her sandal strap, while glancing back over her shoulder, to see how close the boys are she is racing.  In her face one can see the self determination enhanced with anxiousness at the delay.

Further back in the gallery where Nike has paused in her race, one finds the fragmented pieces Leckie refers to as his survivor series. Again the mature mastery of classic sculpture is apparent, but these bronzes have parts missing from the torso, arms legs and heads. Leckie shows them erect and strong in their ability to survive all that life throws at them and still continue to meet each day with a fearless dignity and reliance.

Unlike so many contemporary figurative sculptures, that seem commercial and rehearsed, Leckie's figures are caught in just a brief instant of time.  This is the difference between dry perfection and gifted inspiration.

----Karen Fox

Mike's method of casting glass.

To view a new Glass work in progress click here

Leddick has cleverly divided the book into seven different categories: artists who are experimentalists, those who are neo-classicists, eroticists, fantasists, sensualists, realists and romanticists.

The categories contain works by famous artists: David Hockney, John Dugdale, Christopher Makos, Nan Goldin, Duane Michaels, Mike Leckie and many more.

New York Times

Group Exhibitions

One- and Two-Person Exhibitions

HIGHLIGHTS

TEACHING

UNDERGRADUATE

GRADUATE

INTERNSHIP

MANAGEMENT & PUBLIC SERVICE