The 'Lee-gyptologist'

Written by Kee

We nicknamed Lee “The Lee-gyptologist” because he’s mad about all things to do with Ancient Egypt. He learned about the Egyptians when he was at primary school and it has stayed in his head ever since.  He always carries a large blue book  about Ancient Egypt and regularly dips into it for inspiration.

I met Lee soon after I started volunteering in September last year. Lee is a regular, always arriving on time in his wheelchair with his carer. He (almost) always wears a blue tracksuit and a big gold ring with his name on it. He likes to sit at the end of the table as its easier for his wheelchair and also suits his quiet confidence.

Lee always comes on the Artbox trips. Last winter, braving a freezing cold day, we ventured out to the Alexander Calder exhibition at Tate Modern. Lee enjoyed the mobiles, but what he liked even more was the interactive screens near the cafe, where you can draw your response to the show and it appears on a huge screen. For a moment you feel as though you’re an artist exhibiting in the Tate! 

The first piece of Lee’s work that really stood out for me (I think it did for many people), was a large relief sculpture inspired by the head of Tutankhamen. Lee, with the help of us volunteers, made it out of paper mache and covered it in bright shiny gold.

Lee’s current work, which he’ll be showing at Resonate on 6 October, are small animal sculptures, modelled and painted. They are inspired by Egyptian gods whose names we have had a lot of fun trying to pronounce! Lee has also made tiny painted card board plinths to mount them on. They are beautiful and include a blue and gold bird, a crocodile, a bird of prey and a colourful cobra.

See Lee’s work at Resonate exhibition on Thursday 6 October, 6 – 9pm at Cello Factory, Waterloo.