ARTIST FEATURE: Nick Lenker’s IRL OBJECTS

InstallationExhibitionSolo Show

Apr 9

Written By Whitney Cole

IRL OBJECTS

Learn more about Philadelphia artist Nick Lenker's mixed media objects, on view at Candela Gallery through April 20.

*PITFALL (Unite or Die),* 2022. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, Epoxy, Gold Leaf, 20 x 19 x 14 inches. INQUIRE.

Peter Paul Rubens, *Cain slaying his brother Abel (Genesis 4:2-12)*, c. 1608 - 1609

Nick Lenker, *NOT MY BROTHER’S KEEPER,* 2020. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, Epoxy, Gold Leaf, Oil Paint, 17 x 17 x 20.25 inches. INQUIRE.

As a primarily photographic gallery, Candela is known to frequently push the viewer's understanding of object and process; those who have visited us since March will notice a wholly different "photographic" installation from what they’re accustomed to. In the front gallery space, mystical geometric objects perch on ledges and pedestals with a materiality not initially apparent to visitors. Some proclaim stained glass, some metal, and others ceramic. One is correct: Nick Lenker’s IRL Objects are made from a slab ceramic technique with a photo-ceramic decal process. Lenker creates objects made with the visual language of video games and 3D modeling, utilizing found and created imagery inspired by gaming, religion, art history, and personal relationships.

Nick Lenker, *EXILE (low power)*, 2022. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, Epoxy, Gold Leaf, 20 x 9.5 x 14 inches. INQUIRE.

William Blake, *Nebuchadnezzar*, 1795/c.1805. Color Print, Ink and Watercolor on Paper. c/o Blake Archive

Lenker's objects range from dramatic nudes to dragons and bonnets, earning the awe of both eighties-baby gamers to seasoned ceramic artists. A favorite piece by many has been the March Hare, which stands at a height over two feet, ready to pounce, by the show’s gridded title on the wall – a look around the back reveals a set of fuzzy pink toe beans on its lifted paw. Lenker creates a stencil for every facet of his structures, overlaying that stencil with his library of images. The finished design is transformed into ceramic decals, which are then fired onto the surface of the pieces.

Nick Lenker, *MARCH HARE,* 2022, Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster,
20 x 12 x 26.5 inches. INQUIRE.

It’s this attention to detail that adds icing to the cake of the body of work. Not only has Lenker accomplished logic-defying acts of construction, but he’s left no stone unturned. The longer one spends with a piece, the more they are rewarded by the artist’s attention to detail and consideration of the works in the round.

*BONNET (Alice)*, 2019. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, 14 x 14.5 x 7 inches. INQUIRE

Hats and crowns have lined interiors and maker’s marks, everyday objects have bottoms, and animals have hidden bellies, backs, and legs. Cat lovers rejoice to find that the hindquarters are…anatomically correct on MrMeow, down to the details beneath the tail.

ROBIN HOOD, 2020. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, Epoxy,
20 x 13 x 8.5 inches. INQUIRE

*SCAREDY CAT (MrMeow)*, 2024. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster,
23 x 18 x 7 inches. INQUIRE

It’s been a joy to learn more about this work and celebrate connections made through sharing it with others. We invite you to come in and spend some time getting to know these objects while they’re still on view through next Saturday, April 20th.

Our hours are 11-5pm Tuesday through Friday, and 12-5pm Saturday.

During your visit, be sure to check out our other exhibitions, Big Head (Thinking) by Holly Roberts and The White House China by Kathleen Clark.

*BEAUTY,* 2016. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, 10.5 x 9 x 14 inches. INQUIRE

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Nick Lenker holds an MFA from Tyler School of Art at Temple University and a BFA from University of the Arts with a Ceramics focus. In 2021, he completed a residency at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia. In 2019, Lenker completed the courtyard commission for Project HOME’s most recent project, the Gloria Casarez Residence (an LGBT-focused homelessness-prevention project). In 2020, Lenker had a solo exhibition at the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. He was included in the international exhibition of ceramic art for Art Macau in Macau, China, as well as in the Korean International Ceramics Biennale, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, in 2021. Lenker’s work is included in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Alfred University’s Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, New York, as well as in numerous private collections.

SWALLOWTAIL, 2020. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, 15 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches (WALL MOUNTABLE). INQUIRE.
WEB WEAVER, 2020. 2017. Ceramic, Custom Ceramic Decals, Luster, 9 x 8 x 9 inches. INQUIRE.