ARTWORKS BY DAVE LAMURE JR.

Learn About the Artist - DAVE LAMURE JR.

Every bronze vessel by Dave LaMure Jr. begins where his artistic journey began—at the potter’s wheel. A potter first and foremost, LaMure throws each form in clay before transforming it into a sculptural narrative. While the clay is still soft and pliable, he pushes the imagery outward from within the vessel itself. Rather than adding figures to the surface, he coaxes them into existence from the inside out.

This process, known as bas relief, allows animals, symbols, and human forms to rise subtly from the vessel’s surface—much like the raised images on ancient coins. By carving away surrounding clay and shaping from within, LaMure creates the illusion that each figure naturally emerges from the vessel, blurring the boundary between form and environment. The result is a seamless, flowing connection that reflects the harmony he sees within nature.

For LaMure, this connection is central. He often speaks of the “Uni-verse” as a single song—nature’s rhythm linking all living things. His vessels embody this idea, each one a meditation on relationship, balance, and the quiet threads that bind us to one another and to the natural world. Even the hollow interiors and leather tethers suspended inside each vessel hold meaning, symbolizing the unseen bonds of memory, love, and experience.

After the sculpting is complete, each clay form is bisque fired and then enters the long, intricate bronze foundry process. From start to finish, a single vessel may take eight to twelve months to complete. Some collapse along the way—an inevitability LaMure welcomes as part of the art’s evolution. Each finished bronze reflects intention, patience, and a deep reverence for process.

LaMure lives and works in the Magic Valley of Idaho, where the Great Basin meets the cliffs of the Snake River. He has worked with clay since the age of twelve, developing a distinctive voice that spans monumental bronze monuments, large-scale oil paintings, and his signature sculpted vessels. His innovative approach has earned recognition from collectors and notable admirers—including Sophia Loren, who awarded him Best of Show and marked the moment with a kiss.

His work is often described as commanding and contemporary. James Woods, Director of the Herrett Museum and Center for the Arts, notes:
“David has managed to successfully mix the warmth and softness of the technique with a contemporary concern for bold forms. LaMure’s forms are huge, dynamic, and commanding.”

An avid outdoorsman and former wilderness river guide, LaMure draws deeply from time spent in wild places. These experiences shape the narratives in his art—stories of life, death, rhythm, and belonging—inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world.

Through innovation, technical mastery, and a profound sense of connection, Dave LaMure Jr. continues to push the boundaries of sculptural storytelling. Each vessel stands as both artwork and philosophy—a reminder of the beauty that emerges when humans move in harmony with nature’s song.