Lyle Sopel

Master sculptor Lyle Sopel is dedicated to the creation of fine art gemstone sculpture. His work is comprised of one of a kind masterpieces in jade and semi-precious gemstone, as well as limited edition pieces in bronze with stone embellishments.

Renowned for his museum caliber wildlife / abstract sculptures, Sopel has dedicated over thirty years of working and exploring the three dimensional form in stone.

The discipline of sculpting requires a vast knowledge of drawing, painting and the intuitive ability to visualize forms three dimensionally. Add to this the physical and creative challenges of sculpting hard stone and a sculptor could take nearly a lifetime to achieve proficiency in this field. Sopel’s artistic journey has spanned over twenty five years as a master of sculpting in the jade medium. In 1987 National Geographic Magazine acclaimed “Lyle Sopel is among the best of the world’s contemporary jade sculptors”.

Today his work continues to reflect his affinity with nature, as well as his passion for the palette of colours and textures from rare and exotic minerals and gemstones. Incorporating rough and finished gemstones into his sculptures Sopel’s intention as an artist is to try and interpret the magnificence, mystery, and the power of nature. Each piece that he creates is an expression of this artist’s fascination with nature’s theatre and the human like qualities that are subtle yet evident in wildlife creatures. Working in themes that depict essences of drama, whimsy, joy and lightheartedness, his works of art have been critiqued as sculpture that moves, has a spirit and actually seems alive.

Sopel’s sculptures have been exhibited in group and one man shows through out Canada and the United States. His work is housed in the fine art collections of heads of state, art connoisseurs and royalty from around the globe. His passion to create has continued to build a solid cadre of ardent international fine art collectors.

ARTIST QUOTE: “I think of man and animal as having the same living spirit. I try to capture this feeling whenever I create a piece.”

Born on December 29, 1951 in Richmond, BC. Nationality is Canadian

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