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Mary Lewis, Sculptor
The work and life of an uncharted original 





1. Selected Works

Interpreting ideas, feelings or forms in nature, reducing them to their essence in a honest, imaginative way


2. Studio

A space built out of the necessity to create

 
3. Work Available for Purchase

Proceeds benefiting Lower Columbia College art students 


All work and images Copyright Mary Lewis 2019
Mark

1950 DESPAIR life size, Indiana Limestone, Syracuse University, unfinished


You’re invited to see Mary’s technical expertise applied across mediums and raw materials. Mary has been dedicated to interpreting an idea, feeling or unappreciated form in nature and reducing it to the essence in an honest and imaginative way.

This archive of work is presented as original, unchared contributions to sculpture of the 20th and 21st century.
 

Largely undiscovered, Mary is an uncharted original whose legacy is important to modern sculpture.



1953 OBADIAH Mahogany and Copper, approx. 48” high



1952 MOTHER AND SON Brazilian Rosewood, 66” high. Purchased in 1983 for St. John Medical Center, Longview, WA


1949 MOTHER AND CHILD Plaster for bronze, 21” dia x 37” high, shown in the studio and in a 2011 Retrospective show 

2006 MOTHER AND CHILD Edition 1 cast bronze at Oregon Health Sciences University Center for Womens Health and 2014 Edition 2 purchased by the estate of Mark Sponenburgh for the Newport Performing Arts Center, Oregon

1955 REPOSE Water Clay 10”  1949 YOUNG MAN WITH RED BEARD Volcanic Scoria from life model, life size

“I do not believe art should degrade by adding to the ugliness of the world, rather delight, inspire or in some way touch the heart and uplift the soul.”

 


1950 WOMAN IN PENSIVE MOOD Charred poplar, life size

“My work is both liturgical and secular. My intent is to interpret an idea, a feeling, perhaps an unappreciated form in nature by reducing it to the essence and hopefully, instilling a spiritual quality while working directly with the dictates of permanent materials in an honest, imaginative way.”



1963 SKUNK CABBAGE Carrara Marble, 28” high  

Toads Carved in 1949 (Marble), 1961 (Red Sandstone), 1964 (Pumice), 2004 (Maple) 


SWEET DREAMS (Ape) drawn from life, typical for Mary

“Her pieces clearly have their own DNA.  

My hope is that she continues her quest to work and provide all of us with the art that inspires, challenges and soothes the senses.”

—Friend and artist, Robert Thomas


1950 EMMA Water clay, life modeling class study, Syracuse University, life size


1960 UNTITLED bas-relief 18” x 15” x 2” Mica Schist from Peshawar, Pakistan. Carved in Pakistan, while teaching art as a Fulbright Scholar.


1959 MARY LEWIS with National College of Arts, Master of Miniature Painting, Haji Mohd Sharif at an exhibition in Lahore, Pakistan.


1965 HOMELESS Granite fieldstone, life size



1965 MOTHER AND SON Pumice 12” tall


1964 OWL Polychromed Cedar, 14” high with Basalt inlay. 1962 MOTH Carrara marble 10” diameter

1962 KATYDID hammered Copper over wood, 22” long


1966 MADONNA AND CHILD Walnut, 20” wide x 32” high x 9” deep, combined low and high relief

Mary’s skill in blending subject with raw materials is seamless.


1967 POD Redwood 14” tall


1977 - 1978 MADONNA AND CHILD Original sketch, scale model of the chapel built by Mary and finished work in the studio 



1977 - 78 MADONNA AND CHILD Maple, 48” dia. x 5” deep, St. Joseph’s Church Chapel, Roseberg, Oregon



Study / sketch MADONNA AND CHILD 

“I like big noses. My work does not resemble mine but, my mothers nose. I was not influenced by anyone. If I were, it would have been Ivan Mestrovic”—Mary lewis 


1985 THE HOLY FAMILY Eastern maple, 55 1/2” sq. x 2” deep, St. Frederick Catholic Church, St. Helens, OR



1986 - 1989 MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY Seventeen (17) total cast Bronze reliefs depicting The Joyful, The Sorrowful, The Glorious and The Luminous Mysteries (2006), The Grotto Peace Garden, Portland, OR

1986 - 1989 Cast bronze reliefs of THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES with weatherd patina, The Grotto Peace Garden, The National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, Portland, Oregon. 


1986 - 1989 Cast cronze reliefs of THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES shortly after installlation at The Grotto Peace Garden.

1986 - 1989 THE BIRTH OF JESUS and THE ASCENSION OF JESUS Cast Bronze 18” x 27” x 2” from Mysteries of the Rosary, The Grotto Peace Garden, Portland, OR


Studio circa 1980 with MOTHER AND SON (1952), purchased in 1983 for St. John Medical Center, Longview, WA



2008 Mary in her Columbia River studio carving FISH (age 82)


2008 FISH Redwood with Basalt eyes, 51” x 29”


2009 THE SNAIL’S ON THE THORN from Black Walnut slab, 28” x 25”, edge of slab visible at base of sculpture


2014 BABY Alabaster, 8” wide x 10” high

“To create is necessary to my being, regardless of obstacles, fame or monetary gain.”




2109 Works in progress; LIZARD on Walnut slab, PENGUIN from Carrara Marble (completed 2021) and TOAD from Mt. St. Helens Scoria (completed 2020) 

These selected works are presented to bring Mary’s art into focus in relation to 20th and 21st century sculpture. Limited editions in cast bronze, wood and print are available as a way to connect with Mary’s legacy.

Say hello: Please direct inquiries to nickpdxthomas@gmail.com
Mark
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