Lester Wiese "Torso" bronze sculpture for sale at Sculpture Collector

Lester Wiese his sculptures are collected the world over.

Growing up in the World War II era Iowa, "art" was perceived by sculptor Lester Wiese as merely expert lifelike representations of nature.. Adolescent journeys to museums in Chicago and New York changed all that. He saw works by Miro, Giacometti, Brancusi, and Picasso which did not look exactly like something. And he saw ethnic and tribal artifacts from around the world which evoked the mystery of their origins. Those museum visits were his first encounters with that elusive quality of art: "style."

It was a meeting with Alexander Calder in 1964 that sealed Wiese's life-long committment to his sculpture. A Trustee of the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art called Wiese. "Calder needs your anvil." The trustees of LACMA had commissioned Calder's sculpture, "Hello Girls" and they need Wiese's help with the installation. During the celebration of the successful installation, Calder was shown sketches and photos of Wiese's work. Calder's positive response and encouragement continues to inspire Wiese to this day.

Wiese's committment to his sculpture is still 100%, but now there a welcome diversion in his career. In 1995, Wiese was invited to Denmark by his friend and collector, the acclaimed Danish film director, Lasse Spang Olsen to participate in a film project. Since then He has been cast as a leading supporting actor in four of Spang Olsen's feature films. The next project is coming up in 2005. Google Lester Wiese for a filmography.

Travels in Mexico and Europe continued to influence his perception of art and style. Working as a restorer and conservator of antiques for many museums, galleries and collectors around the world, he has handled thousands of artifacts and objects from pre-conquest Middle America, Africa, New Guinea, and the Middle East. As a result of these encounters, Wiese's style has evolved from the making of "objects" to more narrative pieces and assemblages in a variety of materials.

Wiese is at home and studio in Palm Desert, California. His work can be viewed at his studio or at The Desert Art Sculpture Garden and Gallery in Palm Desert, and Gallery Bergsoe, Copenhagen, Denmark.