Holger Lonze

Holger Christian Lonze was born in Schmallenberg, Westphalia, Germany. He trained as a furniture maker before studying architecture in Detmold and lithography and sculpture in Belfast, where he also completed a DPhil applying gestalt psychology to the perception of time in art. While researching design-for-sustainability for The Eden Project in Cornwall, he became interested in the ecological aspects of many Irish craft traditions and curachs in particular. Subsequently he has run many workshops in curach making and built several of the west coast boats himself (). Holgers work centres around the interaction of people with their cultural and natural environments, with the sea being a recurring theme.

The style of Holgers work shows the influence of the Berlin School of sculpture, a long-standing tradition of realism in German art. His generally figurative work often contains references to archaeology as well as ancient craft traditions and literature. He usually works in bronze, often using Bronze-Age casting methods to produce his work. Drawing and lithographic work complements his sculpture practice.

DPhil research, University of Ulster, Belfast
PG Dip. Applied Art, University of Ulster
Foundry practice and ceramic shell casting, BIFHE, Belfast
First class BA (Hons.) Comb. Studies art and design, University of Ulster
Student in interior architecture at Fachhochschule Lippe, Detmold

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