Sten Lykke Madsen (1937-2020) is one of Denmark’s most eminent ceramic artists. His long career spanned more than 60 years and his stoneware sculptures of fabulous animals have found their way to more than 50 different exhibition venues.
Sten graduated from the School of Art and Craft in Copenhagen in 1958 and established his studio in 1959. He worked as a designer for Bing & Grøndahl and Royal Copenhagen porcelain factories for 41 years. From 2003 to 2020 he was guest artist in residence at the International Ceramic Research Centre, Guldagergaard, in Denmark.
Sten was always keenly interested in the handiwork of working with ceramics, playing his sculptures into being and having the greatest interest in his pieces while they were still clay. His area of interest then moved into the firing itself, and he became devoted to wood firing, especially with soda, and tended to fire his work for 3 days.
For him, the beauty does not reside in the glaze applied to the outside, but in the way in which wood and time burns itself so deeply into the sculpture itself. He wanted his figures to look as if they have shaped themselves, timeless and silent, fossilized in a state of understanding and conjured up for their own sake.
Sten Lykke Madsen’s work can be seen here
Wonderfully imaginative figures, brought to life by this magnificent artist. Thank you for displaying his work, and even though he has passed, his legacy will endure and grow over the years.
Thank you John, it is always heartwarming to find other kindred spirits who admire Sten’s work. He was also an amazing human being, so vivacious and cheeky as well as an immense talent!