By Patrick Folise
Evan Lewis grew up in Santa Barbara, California. He received his BFA in sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1989 and has been living and working in Chicago ever since. His outdoor kinetic wind sculptures have been exhibited at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC., Northern Illinois University in De Kalb, IL., Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL, as well as public art installations in Skokie, IL., Denver, CO., Memphis, TN., and Toldeo, OH. In 1995, Lewis was commissioned to produce sculpture prominently featured in the Warner Brothers production of “Twister.” Lewis’ sculpture is dynamic and unpredictable in nature, yet fluid and graceful. Lewis is also an accomplished furniture designer with showrooms in Chicago, New York, Boston, Dallas, Denver and Toronto.
You have a vast body of work, sculpture, furniture, lighting, is there a specific theme or concept you keep in all of your work?
Yes, It must be creative and original and transform the materials to a new place. I try to make a little magic.
When initially designing a kinetic sculpture, do you have a specific rhythm or movement in mind?
Yes, I think about the type of motion I want and the feeling I want to convey. I also must consider the site and what sort of wind it will have.
What artists have influenced you, and how?
I have been influenced by very many artists. Alexander Calder, George Rickey, Jean Tinguely, David Smith, Constantin Brancusi, and countless more.
What is the best advice you could offer an artist who is just starting their career?
Get started, keep going. Always ask yourself “what is crucial?”
artist website: www.evanlewisinc.com
