Mark Leichliter

Portal, 15"high stainless steel sculpture

2012

A lifelong resident of Colorado, Mark Leichliter is best known for his bold use of form, color, repetition and surface in monumental public sculptures. His primary material is stainless steel, precisely fabricated by the artist's two hands regardless of scale. Frequently there are underlying symbols and meaning behind the abstract artwork, often tying into the site, region or community where the art resides. Artist Statement: "I was born in Loveland, Colorado and now reside in nearby Fort Collins. The natural beauty of this region was instrumental in my aesthetic development. The language of the land and its features has guided me toward sculpture as my means of artistic expression. I discovered my love of art in high school, having been exposed to advanced creative concepts through a self-developed independent study program. I grew up surrounded by construction tools and forms as my father, uncle, and grandfather built custom homes throughout Northern Colorado. This upbringing influenced my understanding of building and the value of craftsmanship. I spent a few years working for my dad's company, learning how to read blueprints and use the various tools of the trade. I eventually coupled my love of art and construction into sculpture by working for wellknown sculptors in Loveland's bronze industry. I learned welding, metal finishing, moldmaking and the enlargement of small models into monumental scale artworks. During this time, I also cast my own bronze sculpture and explored the subtractive sculpting methods of stone and wood carving. An injury caused me to turn to the computer and 3D modeling software which has enabled me to create an enormous variety of fabricated forms achievable in a vast assortment of materials. For the past twenty years, I have specialized in large-scale public works that include collaborations with architects, landscape architects, engineers, designers and a host of city planners and officials. These ‘team’ efforts have been the most rewarding of my career. "