Bronze sculptor, John Coleman, is widely celebrated for his portrayal of the American Indian. Originally from Southern California, he began his art training at the Art Center for Design in Los Angeles. After spending decades as a businessman, Coleman began sculpting full time in 1994 and just one decade later he received the CAA Award for the best body of work. He has been honored with an abundance of medals, awards, and inductions through the years and is currently recognized as one of the most successful Western sculptors

Coleman’s work is informed both by research and his deep respect for the culture and spirituality of Natives. His narrative works not only represent a people and their rituals, but through these depictions Coleman also conveys universal themes and ideas.

“I like to tell stories in my work using metaphors that help explain who we are and from where we came. Creating an object means little to me unless I can portray an underlying emotion or analogy. Each piece tells a story in the three dimensional, a visual mythology written by my hands and spiritual imagination, somehow linking us to the past and bringing us to a greater understanding of our ancestors.”

The strength of skill and design in his work is remarkable. Coleman is usually working on six or seven pieces at any given time and releases four or five new editions each year.

He and his wife Sue live in Prescott, Arizona.

View John Coleman's work