Plenty More Fish in the Sea \ by Callie Leed

Wall Piece

Whiteboard Steel, Enamel, Mason Stains, Liquid Enamel, Silver Foil, Hardwood Frame

Laser engraved sgraffito, opalescents over foils, liquid enamel textures

24 x 24 x 4 centimeters

Working under the name CLeed, I am an enamel artist based in East Gippsland, Australia. My practice is driven by curiosity, collection, and experimentation. As a collector, I am fascinated by both the subjects I observe and the materials I gather, from extensive enamel colour samples to reclaimed industrial waste diverted from landfill and transformed through the enamelling process.

Combining traditional vitreous enamelling with contemporary digital technologies, including photography, laser engraving, and digital design, I explore new possibilities for creating detailed and expressive enamel surfaces. I gravitate towards botanical and animal subjects, but frequently return to the unusual succulents cultivated in my garden as a source of inspiration. I like to let my material explorations evolve through repeated use of the same subject matter, as I look to develop my skillset in creating highly detailed representational studies.

Sustainability is central to my practice. I frequently work with reclaimed whiteboard steel, surplus materials, repurposed tools, and experimental processes that challenge assumptions about what constitutes suitable material for enamelling. Through this approach, I seek to develop work that is both technically innovative and environmentally responsible.

Alongside my studio practice, I am committed to fostering connections within the enamel community through facilitating artist groups and creating opportunities for knowledge exchange between regional and international practitioners. My work reflects a continuing dialogue between observation, material investigation, and contemporary enamel practice, exploring how traditional craft can evolve through new technologies while remaining deeply connected to the natural world.