Overview
Steen Ipsen works and lives in Copenhagen. In 1990, Ipsen graduated from the Danish School of Design in Denmark as a ceramic’s candidate. He later became the head of the Ceramic Department at The Royal Danish Academy, school of Design in Copenhagen. The Danish Arts Foundation has described his work as follows: “Steep Ipsen is one of the most gifted ceramic artists in Denmark…His works are often called “basic research” because he investigates the relationship between form and decoration. He is especially interested in the process of investigating the theme again and again. His works are often glazed so they acquire “lusciousness” and an almost industrial look despite the fact that he has created a very unique piece of craftsmanship." Form and ornament are inseparable in Steen Ipsen’s works. In his sculptures form and ornament pattern are united as an independent shaping of form. Over the years, he has worked, examined and experimented with innumerable themes. 
 
He works with elements such as spheres and ellipses. For the elements he lay down his own rules for how his works shall be structured and designed. A common feature of his works is variations of geometric systems based on organic and mineral growth principles such as crystallization and cell division. Methodology and chaos as well as simple and complex structures are intertwined in his modeling of the elements. Spheres and ellipses are underlined with strings of PVC or leather as a contrast to the shape and to influence the optical expression of the sculpture´s movements. In his theme organic movements and black movements, the works have been intuitively modeled in almost free-rein playing with the concave and convex curves of organic forms, which are transformed into pure, smooth surfaces. These are often supplied with thin contrasting lines resulting in a clearly graphic expression which helps underline and create movement in the form of the work. In his black monochrome sculptures, he wants to show visually how the shape of the sculpture can be affected by the reflections from the surroundings as a contrast to the shape of the sculpture. 
 
Steen Ipsen built all his sculptures by hand without any kind of digital technique. In his perfectionistic execution, with the clear, cleansed surface flow of the forms and perfectly fired glazes – no ceramic chance happenings allowed here – the works rise up in a present-day cultural sphere. They squeeze their way into the history of style somewhere between pop art, the organic abstractions of modernism and the whole weight of the Scandinavian design legacy. As sculptures with an endlessly visually associative range, they have a broad appeal and create a contemplative mood, a feeling of timelessness. 
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