DYLAN LEWIS
(b. 1964, Johannesburg, South Africa)

BIOGRAPHY AND WORK

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 the lithe, almost boneless, grace of these apex predators – creatures that impart by their very presence a palpable tension to any true wilderness.

Lewis’ cats are imbued with a 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 not only to the singular animals but 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 eons 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 artists 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 Christies being wholly dedicated 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 SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2023        Recent Leopard Maquettes, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa & London, UK

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

2020       Chthonios, Everard Read, Cape Town,, South Africa

2019       Shapeshifting, solo auction, Christie’s, London, UK

2018       Recent Busts, Everard Read, Franschhoek, South Africa

2016       FNB Joburg Art Fair, featured artist, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

2015       Dylan Lewis: A Solo Presentation at Masterpiece, John Martin Gallery, London, UK
               Investec Cape Town Art Fair, featured artist, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
               Spoor, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

2014        A Small Collection of Cats, Everard Read Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
                Recent Cat Bronzes, John Martin Gallery, London, UK
2013        ARTLONDON13, Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK
                WWF, Everard Read Johannesburg, South Africa

                Untamed, solo auction, Christie’s, London, UK

2011       Predators and Prey II, solo auction, Christie’s, London, UK

2012       Delhi Art Fair, Delhi, India

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

2009       Shapeshifting, solo auction, Christie’s, London, UK
               Shape Shifting, Everard Read, Cape Town & Johannesburg, South Africa

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

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, South Africa
               ART LONDON3, Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK

2001       One man exhibition, Everard Read , Cape Town, The Clocktower Precinct, South Africa
               ARTLONDON2, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa
               One man exhibition, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

2000       ARTLONDON1, Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK
               Toronto International Art & Antiques Fair in association with Miriam Shiell, Canada
               Fine Art, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Canada
               Dallas International Pavilion , USA
               Dallas International Art & Antiques Fair in association with Miriam Shiell , USA
               Fine Art, Dallas International Pavilion, USA

1999       ARTLONDON 2000, Everard Read, Johannesburg Booth, London, UK
               The Port Captain’s Exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

SELECTED COLLECTIONS:

Afrox

Anglovaal

Deutsche Morgan Grenfell

Eskom

Fedlife

First National Bank

HRH The Duke of York

Harvard Capital Management Worldwide

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

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021     Oasis, 25th Anniversary Exhibition, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2020       Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

               Bronze, Steel, Stone & Bone, Everard Read, London, UK

2019       Southern Aspect, Everard Read, London, UK

2018       Bronze, Steel & Stone III, Everard Read, London, UK

2016       Pastoral Abstraction, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
                Bronze, Steel and Stone, Mount Nelson Hotel & Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2015       WINTER, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2014       Summer of Sculpture II, Mount Nelson Hotel & Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2013       100, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
                Summer of Sculpture, Mount Nelson Hotel & Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2012       Winter Show, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa
                Summer of Sculpture, Everard Read and Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa  

  
2011       15th Anniversary, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2010       Summer, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa