Verlee Luc

Luc Verlee (Zele, 1939) – Sculptor, ceramicist, medal designer, and draughtsman. He trained at the Antwerp Academy (1955–1960) under Dolphyn (drawing), M. Macken (modelling), and O. Strebelle (ceramics), and subsequently at the Higher Institute in the same city (1960–1964) under J. Vaerten (drawing) and M. Macken. Recipient of the Van Lerius Prize for sculpture, the Berthe Art Grant, and the Bugatti Prize. He contributed to the renovation of the Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum in Antwerp (1965–1970). His designs include figures, compositions, funerary monuments, and monumental works. While his work is primarily figurative, he has also produced abstracted and abstract pieces since 1965. He works in materials such as ceramics, plaster, stone, marble, and bronze. His notable designs include De Sloeber in Antwerp (1976), Kunstschilder Wellens in Lummen, De Vier Seizoenen (The Four Seasons) in the Brasschaat town hall, De Student (1987) and De Studentin (1991) in Hasselt, and De Kaartridder and Het Gezin (1993–1996) for the pilgrimage site of Heppeneert. He has also designed approximately 85 medals. His work is held in collections including the Middelheim Museum, the Museum and Print Room in Antwerp, the Royal Library of Belgium, the National Museum in Helsinki (Finland), the Museum Sztuki Medalierskiej in Wrocław (Poland), and the Museum of the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre in Madrid (Spain). Became a ceramics instructor at the Academy in Mol in 1961, and a sculpture instructor at PHIKO in Hasselt in 1970. Listed in BAS I and Twee eeuwen signaturen van Belgische kunstenaars. (Piron)