Dylan Lewis

Artist Biography

(b. 1964 Johannesburg, South Africa)

Dylan Lewis is Africa’s most internationally renowned living figurative sculptor. Collectively Lewis’ bronzes of felines form perhaps the most powerful commentary on nature and wilderness that has been made by any artist of this era. His cats are far more profound works of art than mere contemporary Animalia bronzes. Indeed, they fully interrogate these apex predators' lithe, almost boneless grace – creatures that impart a palpable tension to any true wilderness by their very presence. Lewis’ cats are imbued with unique dense energy by this artist who, through a lifetime of immersing himself in pristine natural environments, somehow contrives to elevate his sculpture into a homage to the singular animals indeed to their ancient lineages. Lewis’ bronzes fully capture the essence of an organism perfectly adapted to its habitat – the bodily expression of DNA adapting to aeons of inexorable environmental change. In the presence of his art, it does not take long to be affected by the rare brilliance and self-confident virtuosity honed by decades of work both in nature and his studio. Whilst his cat sculptures have attracted collectors’ attention, Lewis has gradually shifted vision and focus onto the human figure. Elements of humanity began to be hinted at in some early sculptures in the artist’s development.

A growing body of recent work featuring highly charged emotional and erotic human forms now dominate much of this fascinating sculptor’s artistic output. Lewis’ sculpture has been avidly collected internationally for decades and this has resulted in two auctions at Christie’s being wholly dedicated to Lewis’ bronzes. The last Christies sale in 2018 achieved a 100% sale result. Dylan Lewis lives in Stellenbosch, South Africa. He has developed a unique sculpture garden where some of his most celebrated bronzes may be viewed by appointment within the natural environment that intellectually nourishes their maker.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2021 Apex, 2021 Everard Read, Cape Town, London and CIRCA Gallery, Johannesburg

2020 CHTHONIOS, CIRCA Gallery, Cape Town

2017 Off the wall; A Group Sculpture Show, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg

2015 Cape Town Art Fair, featured artist, Everard Read Cape Town

2014 A Small Collection of Cats Everard Read Cape Town and Johannesburg

Recent Cat Bronzes, John Martin Gallery, London, UK.

2013 ARTLONDON13, Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK.

WWF- Everard Read Johannesburg

2012 ‘Summer of Sculpture’, group exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town (Mount Nelson Hotel)

Delhi Art Fair

Untamed - Berkley Square, London in association with Christies South Kensington

2011 ‘Recent Works’, Everard Read Cape Town & Johannesburg

Solo auction, Christie’s, London

’20 Stellenbosch’, group exhibition, Stellenbosch

2010 ‘Untamed’, Everard Read, Cape Town (at Oude Bank in Stellenbosch) and Kirstenbosch Gardens

2009 Solo auction, Christie’s, London

‘Shape Shifting’, Everard Read, Cape Town & Johannesburg

2007 Everard Read, Cape Town (at L’Ormarins in Franschoek)

Everard Read, Johannesburg

2006 ART LONDON6 Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK.

2004 ART LONDON4 Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK.

2003 One-man exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town

ART LONDON3 Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK.

2001 One-man exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, The Clocktower Precinct

ARTLONDON2 Everard Read, Johannesburg

Everard Read, solo exhibition, Johannesburg

2000 ARTLONDON1 Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK.

Toronto International Art & Antiques Fair in association with Miriam Shiell

Fine Art, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto

Dallas International Pavilion

Dallas International Art & Antiques Fair in association with Miriam Shiell

Fine Art, Dallas International Pavilion

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2022 3D IN 22: South African Contemporary Sculpture, Circa, Johannesburg

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

Afrox

Anglovaal

Deutsche Morgan Grenfell

Eskom

Fedlife

First National Bank

HRH The Duke of York

Harvard Capital Management Worldwide

ART LONDON6 Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK

Nissan South Africa

Mr A Oppenheimer, Mr N Oppenheimer

Mr CD Palmer-Tomkinson

Mr J Rupert

Mr B Sangster

Old Mutual Plc

President Nelson Mandela

President George Bush USA

Sir Dennis Thatcher

Sir Richard Brooks

Sir Richard Storey

The Earl of Derby