Artist Statement

Alexander J. Lewis aka LX Cheyenne River Sioux/Diné I am an American Indian contemporary artist in which I incorporate my cultural values into my art pieces. I am known for carving Manzanita wood, which is a hardwood that can be found throughout the west coast of California. By finding the gift on grandmothers Earth, I carefully take a moment to see what the Manzanita wood is telling me spiritually. My art pieces have messages and are shared with all of my art viewers. As an American Indian, my inspiration comes from my ancestors before me and that is where I get my driving force. The stories I tell with my art, flow from my heart. With each art piece I create, I look forward to discovering the messages my ancestors are sending to me. It is a way for me to communicate with those who had come before me and for me to speak to the generations yet to come.