Iconic Art
“One of the most accomplished contemporary jade sculptors in the world”
Throughout history only the most revered artists were deemed accomplished enough to sculpt in iconic forms or be offered the opportunity to fashion with gemstones and precious metals. Today, only a handful of artists fall into this lineage of perfection. Sopel's dream is to continue redefining his personal expression of adoration towards sacred forms.
The largest monumental sacred object to date is a life-sized jade Buddha. Beginning with a one ton boulder, this Buddha seated on a bronze lotus flower base, is the largest jade Buddha to be sculpted in North America.
“I knew it was possible. I always dreamt of the day when I would create something beyond what I had done before. I had to come out of myself to create the Buddha, to go beyond who I thought I was as an individual and an artist.”
LYLE SOPEL