Nicolas Lehann

Nicolas Lehmann, Contemporary multi-discipline Designer, Sculptor, Manufacturer. Founder of the Forge 1997, specialist in bespoke functional ironmongery and designs; Nicolas Lehmann Bronze foundry 2009, Nicolas Lehmann Arts 2010. Born in South Africa 1970. Married in Saint Paul de Vence to French Spouse.
Lehmann holds mechanical engineering degree from the South African military Engineering Corps, (SAPPERS 4.2) where they held the world records in building the fastest mobile bridges in 1990’s; Lehmann holds a master blacksmithing background, where he started apprentice at the age of thirteen. Nicolas Lehmann is an autodidact artist. He creates between his industrial art studios in Cape town, South Africa, and his residence in Saint Paul de Vence. If not sculpting, Lehmann can be found in remote areas searching for authentic materials and inspirations.
Lehmann’s art is raw, stretching from Abstract destructed forms, to cubism inspired totems. His monumental, large-scale works carry a twist of humour and poetry. Fascinated by Nature and People his body of works captures the essence of the emotions, movement, a moment in time. Lehmann’s primary materials are up-cycled mediums such as Steel, Bronze, Glass, Wood. He has the particularity to cast his own bronzes at his Cape town-based foundry, and busy opening one in the South of France.
Lehmann has exhibited in over 50 exhibitions (group and solo) since 1997; between USA (NYC), Monaco, France, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, and South Africa; Lehmann’s master pieces have been acquired over the years internationally by prominent private, corporate collectors.
Lehmann is currently working on monumental works for 2025 dedicated to the Ocean conservation awareness with his ships, along with uniting people through Arts and his new collection “Big Dreams”.

HOTELS
• Hotel Le Saint Paul, 5 Star Relais Châteaux, Saint Paul de Vence, France 2024 2025 • RamSau, Sculptural Garden, Solo, Bad Heilbrunn Germany 2023
• Glen Elly Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2021
• The Mount Nelson Hotel, Belmonte Group, Cape Town South Africa 2013 • The Westin Hotel, Sherwood group – Cape Town South Africa 2012

MUSEUMS & NATIONAL MONUMENTS
• National Monument Cemetery, Chamonix, France 2025
Bronze Bust of Mme Marguerite Bouvier, first female alpinist & art critic to climb the mont blanc.
• ZEITZ MOCCA Museum, Contemporary Museum of Art’s Cape town, South Africa Running Man, “Art is Where the home is”, 2021-2022
• Castle of Good Hope Museum, , South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010 Uniting People, FIFA Soccer World Cup

INTERNATIONAL ART & DESIGN FAIRS (Selected)
• Lausanne Art Fair, Lausanne Switzerland 2022
• Luxembourg Art Fair, Luxembourg. 2022
• Triennal du Festival des Lumières de St. Saturnin, France 2021
• Art Capital, Grand Palais, Paris, France, 2020
• Business Art Fair –– FIAC week – Paris, France 2019 (Award of Best Emerging Talent) • Art Expo New York 2016 – Solo – NYC, USA 2016
• Design Indaba – Cape Town, South Africa 2014
• DECOREX, Johannesburg, South Africa 2011
• Design Indaba creatives – Cape Town South Africa 2005

CHARITIES & ASSOCIATIONS
• Zip-Zap Circus Foundation, fundraiser 2021,2023, 2025 (Education & Sport) • CROSSING Active Foot Print collectives, La Colle sur Loup, France 2021 (Arts) • GemlucArt – Auditorium Rainier III, Monaco 2019 (Cancer research) • Salon des Arts de l’Etangs La ville, France 2022, 2024 (Environnent) • Desmond Tutu Foundation with Strauss and Co Auction South Africa 2021 (Education) • The Oblates Sisters of St Francis de Sales, South Africa/Namibia 2008 -now (Education) • 11th Edition Consular Ball, Fundraiser, Cape Town South Africa 2018 (Education)

CORPORATE AND INSTITUTIONS EVENTS (Selected)
• Women in the Arts – Pop-Up Group Exhibition – Résidence de France de L’ambassadeur de France, Pretoria, 2021
March with honouree guest UN Guest Speakers and Mexican Ambassador speech against Genger Based Violence.
with participating Galleries Melrose arch, Whatiftheworld, Everard Read, Cape Heritage Hotel, Sisonke Gallery – Curated by P. Lehmann
• AIR – Francophonie month worldwide – group exhibition for SISONKE Gallery Cape Heritage Hotel & Alliance Francaise du Cap, Cape town 2021
This was a Simultaneous show organized for two different locations sponsored by the Lehmann
• UNTAMMED – Group Show- Ambassade de France, Atelier Nicolas Lehmann, Cape Town South Africa 2021
• Africa Oil Week – TOTAL Exploration and Production South Arica,
Atelier Nicolas lehmann – Cape Town, South Africa 2015
• Running Man and Unity
SONA Parliament Opening: Private Cocktail hosted by European, German and French Ambassy, Residence of the German Ambassador, Cape Town, South Africa 2021,2022

MEMBERSHIPS
• Active foot Print Collectives – NPO – France
• AHK Southern Africa German Chamber of Commerce
• Heritage Council of South Africa
• Batiments de France, France – Portfolio validation (2021)
• Tourism Office Member of Saint Paul de Vence & La Colle sur loup

COMMISSIONED WORKS (Selected)
COMMERCIAL
• The Cap Estel Hotel,5 Star hotel, Cap Dáil, France, 2004
• Delaire Graaf Estate, Relais et Chateaux, The Lodges & Spa with David Collins London,2009
• L’Ormarin, Mr Ruppert, Stables, South Africa, 2009
• Babylonstoren , 2009
• Boshendal Wine estate, Restaurant Wine Cellar,2001 & 2015
• Kirstenbosh Botanical Gardens, 2000
• Century City Mall, 2002
• Arabella Golf Estate, Restaurant and Wine Cellar, 2004
• Alphen Hotel,
• Private Luxury Villa, Oceana Investment Group UK, 50 Victoria Roads, Clifton, 2009 • The Mount Nelson Hotel, Kitchen in Copper Hammer, 2002
• Groot Constantia Wine estate, 2014
• Spiers Wine estate, 2012
• The Vineyards hotel, Restaurant & Bar, 2003
• The Table Bay Hotel, Wine coolers, 2005

RESIDENTIAL
• The Rockefellers, NY,USA 2005
• Private Client, Pointe Noire, Congo, ARCCC designs, 2017
• Private UK Client, Bronze Sculptures, 2019
• Count Labia, private Residence, 2002
• French Embassy of South Africa, 2020
• Private Residence Portugal, ARCC Designs, 2019
• Private Residences, French Riviera, Chamonix, Andora 2021,2024
• Private Residence Maputo, Mozambique 2023
• Private Residence, Beyrouth, Lebanon, 2023
• Private Residence, Stuttgart, Germany, 2024
Artistic Collaborations with Architects & Interior Designers
• David Collins Designs London, Delaire Graaf Project 2009
• SAOTA Architects since 2005 on going
• ARRCC Interior designs since 2011 on going
• DHK Architects
• Gert Gerstein Designs
• Fabian Faber Architects
• Stefan Falcker Designs
• HKP International, Hong Kong Monaco London
Heritage Restauration
• Castle of Good Hope, 1666 – South Africa
(Full scale renovation of all ironmongery, first military base and building built in South Africa 2years project)
• Montebello Design Center – 1820 South Africa