(b. 1964 Johannesburg, South Africa)

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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.

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