Biography

Ute Kase Lepp was born in Germany as the daughter of an artist family. Depending on a heavy disease she was bound to stay at home until her 10th birthday - that seems to be the reason for her strong relationship to dolls.

When she was 4 years old she started to try modeling using putty (which did not make glaziers very happy about). Dolls followed made from fabrics and clay before her first school years. When she was 15 years old she presented her first "real" dolls at a firm exhibition.

In 1972 her first exhibition to the public took place. Depending on her studies on Fashion and Psychology as well as familiar reasons she had no possibility to organize other exhibitions, so it lasted until 1979 when she could show a bigger collection to the public. Since this year one exhibition followed the other.

From now on it was her biggest wish to develop characters and moods in expressions and gestures of her doll children.

1979 She learns additional modeling techniques and mould building attending to art sculpture standards.

1980 First dolls sold at international fairs.

1980-1984 She holds seminars and training courses in her own atelier.

1982 Further doll exhibitions in Düsseldorf, München (Munich), Gifhorn, Fallersleben, Braunschweig (Brunswik) and nearby towns

1983-1985 Teacher at the public highschool.

1983-1987 Exhibitions at art societies.

Since 1985 She lives also in Munich (with own atelier).

1985 First participation at the "International Toy Fair Nürnberg (Nuremberg)".

Since the middle of the 80s Advertisings and reports in international magazines.

1987 She wins her first award by the Doll Artisan Guild.

1988, 1989 More awards.

1990-1994: Within the following 5 years she mostly influenced the international award "Eurodoll". All 162 dolls brought to the Eurodoll - single or in scenes - were successful. As the one-and-only artist she could win the spectators prize at 4 times (one following the other). At 4 times her dolls were Europe's winner. 1 bronce-, 5 silver- und 17 goldmedals give whitness on her success, as well as the huge amount of inquirements at her exhibitions.

Since the early 90s Participations at special exhibitions (Doll Art and Doll Artist International)

Summer 1991 Single exhibition at the Hofener Gallery (Bodensee).

Since 1992 Several works chosen by the Museum of the German Toy Industry. (Each year a half-year show)

Exhibition at and purchases by the Museum Hinterman - Taupe in Villach, Austria.

Exhibitions in Austria, France, Switzerland, United States of America, Japan, Dubai and Germany, for instance at the Toy Museum in Neustadt near Coburg.

1991 until 1994 Her each year held Ute Kase Lepp Vernissage in Munich, to which doll collectors from the whole world were travelling to, was the world-biggest exhibition of that kind by a single doll artist (Media reports).

1993 She founded the European Doll Artists Union - together with other doll artists. This Union uses strong rules of artistic quality on doll makers, either about their membership or their works.

1994 First industrial works: 7 doll designs were created for the world-famous toy manufacturer Sigikid. Other productions for other manufactures. These vinyl artist dolls were new possibilities for doll collectors, now worldwide.

1994 Invitation by the Walt Disney World to Florida.

1995 4 other doll designs for Sigikid.

1995 Invitation of the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza to Dubai.

1995 Several pages in the book: "Puppen, Plüsch und Teddybären" by Meier / Endersfelder.

1996 Several pages in the book: "Lieblinge fürs Leben" by Meier / Endersfelder.

1996 Design works under own management: Beside the porcelain collection publishing of an own vinyl collection of high-class collector artist dolls accompanied by a videotape for each doll, in which the dolls introduce themselves. At that time a one-of-a-kind sort of presentation.

Since 1996 Exhibitions in New York, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, Washington, and again Disney in Florida.

Since 1997 Exclusive porcelain doll designs, created for HOME SHOPPING EUROPE Germany.

1998 14 pages in the publication "Knallbonbons Spiel Art und Ausgeflipptes " by Meier / Endersfelder.

1998 Invitation to Moskau (Moskov). Exhibition at the Wachtanoff - Gallery (biggest gallery building in Moskov).

1999 - today International Exhibitions.