Jade Sculptor | Global Influencer | Champion of Nature
When people hear the name Lyle Sopel, they think of the artist who seems to have an uncanny ability to capture the nuances found in nature. Elements of elegance, humor, simplicity, perfection, and beauty also come into the picture. When Sopel’s colleagues, professional artists, and novice artists in the jade industry think of Sopel, descriptions like masterful, innovative, resilience, dedication and generosity play upon their psyches.
When you mention Sopel’s name to those who admire sacred icons, preeminent, rare and extraordinary flow into their consciousness. Those who hear of Sopel, from collectors to artisans who are gemstone aficionados, sparks descriptions of excellence, museum caliber leadership, mentoring and the willingness to serve for the greater good for all the community.
In Europe, artisans whose work is juried for exhibition at the Hermitage - St. Petersburg, Russia know the name Sopel. They are fascinated and impressed not just by his innovative approach to the subject matter but primarily by the scale in which his signature pieces are executed. Sopel is acknowledged as having reached a level of mastery and uniqueness that is unprecedented. In Canada, Sopel has been acknowledged by a late Haida Chief and granted permission from the elders to utilize his design interpretations adapted from the great First Nations Haida tribe.
Spanning continents from Brazil to China, from Europe to Russia, Sopel’s unique influence has been felt and is now reverberating back inspiring novice artists around the globe. Lyle was a self-study of the European Renaissance Masters throughout Spain, France, and Italy. He has attended numerous workshops globally with the focus of developing an understanding of the mind and humanity, expanded consciousness, eastern philosophy, and quantum physics 1989 to present day. Sopel is self-taught in the design and technical equipment and craftsmanship of bespoke applications of sculpting and mastering gemstones that are harder than steel.
Lyle is an avid outdoor recreationist, studies and applies bodybuilding, loves to learn about all forms of visual and performing arts, science, quantum physics, personal development. Enjoys nature and out of doors activities, mountain biking, hiking, animation, fantasy, science fiction, humor and activities that involve light heartedness and depth. Has taken up pursuits such as sky diving, and swimming with the whales while sailing on a Whale Foundation Vessel in Maui. Thrives in the company of extraordinary individuals, illuminaries and creatives.
He especially enjoys travelling to different continents collaborating with other like-minded artists and sharing ideas and visions. He seeks out new experiences by visiting national museums around the globe, attending fine art events that feature up and coming artists. Lyle has been married to his business partner, visionary wife for over 35 years. Lyle's son Kurtis is a sculpting protege and masterful in the digital arts and music disciplines.
NOTABLE COMMISSIONS
2015 Presentation gift, 20th Anniversary of Sister Province Relations, British Columbia Ministry International Trade, Guangdong Province, China
2015 Jade Buddha Statue Head, VIP Private Collection, San Diego, CA
2010 Jade Shri Chakra / Yantra, India Cultural Centre & Temple, Memphis, TN
2008 Dept of Music Permanent Public Exhibition, University of North Texas, Dallas, TX
2003 Largest Jade Buddha created in North America, Private Collection, Palm Springs, CA
2000 Commemorative stamp design collaboration for 2001 Chinese New Year, Canada Post Corporation, Vancouver, BC
1992 World's largest Jade Buddha, appointed as Sculpting Advisor,Temple in Bangkok, Thailand
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
2014 Invited guest artist, Faberge Symposium, St. Petersburg, Russia
2014 Hermitage Museum Private Tour, St. Petersburg, Russia
2013 Attendee, Private Art Vault Presentation, Bank of Beijing, China
2013 Gift presentation to Oprah Winfrey on behalf of the Mayor of Montreal, Montreal, QC 2012 Honorary guest, German Gemstone Museum, IdarOberstein, Germany
2012 National Travel & Life Magazine Reception Event, Vancouver, BC 1987 Commonwealth Imperial Conference, Vancouver, BC
AWARD WINNING AUTHOR : New York Big Book Award recipient for 12 X 12 Coffee Table book ALLURING PRESENCE, - UNCHARTED A west meets east jade sculptor's audacious journey. Amazon Best Seller, Best of Category - Starred Kirkus Media Book Review, Distinguished Favourite Award Independent Press, Shortlisted for Indie Excellence Award Next Gen Book Review.
ACCOLADES
2001 FANS Award, Arts & Culture Commission of North Vancouver, B.C.
1976 Victor Scott Award for Visual Arts
Langara College Scholarship Arts Award
Fans Honoree Award
Fund for the Arts on the North Shore International Art Symposium Celebrity Guest Artist of the year Ferris State University
Artist Entrepreneur of the year
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
Gem Artists of North America (GANA)
North American Artist Professional League Sculptors Society of British Columbia World Wildlife Association Pacific Whale Foundation
INTERNATIONAL FINE ART EVENTS
From 2005 to present day, Lyle has designed and created a bespoke collection of original jade and gemstone works for international Fine Art Events. These include acting as a keynote speaker and assuming the role of an ambassador, Lyle has participated in over 60 of these exclusive inner circle collector events amongst premier artists.
ICON - SCULPTOR - SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS
Buddha Project
In 1990 Lyle was summoned by a head monk in Thailand. To work as an advisor on the world’s largest jade Buddha for a prominent temple located outside of Bangkok. The head monk had searched the globe for an artist who had the special knowledge required to undertake this complex task. Lyle travelled to Thailand and lead the team of international artists until the project’s completion in 1991.
Shri Yantra
In 2010 Lyle was called upon to partake in a project that was both iconic and metaphysical in nature. There are only 6 Shri Yantra pyramid shaped objects installed in various auspicious locations around the world today. These icons have a rich history dating back as far as 3000 years.
Early in 2010 a renowned spiritual leader approached Lyle about this commission. It involved a complex of what Lyle reports as his most challenging project to date, the design and execution of an object that involved precise measurements and dimensions as illustrated on the assigned blueprint. The motif was included without the process of achieving the desired shape. The design was to be 3 feet in height, a perfect mathematically correct pyramid that when viewed from the top down formed a perfect star shaped lotus. The difficult and complex approach to this project involved precise angles to emulate the highest calibrating energy possible. One small error of calculation would result in the project being rendered useless. The initial designing process involved hours of researching to acquire the special method of arriving at the precise mathematical formula for doing the preliminary renderings. After many months of rigorous acute attention to every minute detail to the pyramid's shape, the project was permanently installed in a Temple in Tennessee. The goal was acheived to add the 7th Shri Yantra to the planet’s vibratory resonance of peace, and it was reached quietly and humbly.
EXPERTISE
Design Execution - involves preliminary or advanced drawing application / creating an amateur to build clay model. Instilling a renaissance like standard to his studio, Lyle maintains all designs be created by hand. Adding to his signature bespoke approach to every aspect of his medium.
Photography and Videography - a strong background in these 2 disciplines. Years of upgrading knowledge and practical applications.
Cataloging - Has cataloged over 7,000 bespoke sculptures. A vast majority of which have been photographed. Also has hand signed numbered and recorded every piece that he has ever created.
Master Teacher - Trained and influenced over 20 studio sculpting apprentices and assistants in Lyle’s unique design style and craftsmanship since 1979 to present. Many of which have adopted these design concepts to further expand their own practice. Receiving acknowledgement from many accomplished sculptors from around the globe Lyle is considered an artist mentor to emulate. Continuing to evolve as a mentor to both novice and seasoned creatives Lyle generously shares his aptitude for the creative process.