ABOUT MATTIE

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Mattie Leeds is a ceramic artist based in Santa Cruz, California, recognized for his large-scale hand-painted ceramic sculptures and vessels. His work has been exhibited throughout California and the U.S. including shows at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, the Monterey Museum of Art, and various galleries in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Mattie's ceramics are held in numerous public and private collections and have also been featured in site-specific architectural and outdoor installations.

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Mattie's work spans two main areas: monumental sculptural forms and architecturally integrated pieces, as well as boldly painted functional and non-functional vessels. Across these different formats, his ceramics are defined by strong color, clear imagery, and a commanding sense of scale.

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The connection between everyday life and art is central to Mattie's practice. His studio environment in Santa Cruz informs much of his creative approach, resulting in work that is grounded, personal, and closely tied to its surrounding landscape.

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Through a career that combines technical mastery with an openness to experimentation, Mattie has established himself as an influential figure in contemporary Californian ceramics, contributing significantly to exhibitions and collections that highlight the region’s ongoing ceramic tradition.

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