History

The art of Ron Lion comes from a long history of association with fine art and commercial design. In his early years, Ron was very influenced by his family’s collection of fine art. Being surrounded by works of early twentieth century masters like Braque, Picasso, Monet, and Dali, the doors were opened to the creative world. He received degrees in both Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and Transportation Design from Art Center in Pasedena before starting his career designing automobiles for Ford Motor Company.

His study of surface development while at Art Center and then later at Ford laid the groundwork for the sculpture which he now produces. Beautiful line combined with interesting form highlights his work. While working as a professional designer Ron employed the concepts of combining form with function. This led to a strong technical approach to art and to the philosophy that beautiful surfacing should resolve itself. This is a concept that Ron currently uses when creating his sculpture. The art should talk back to the artist. Often, when he works he waits for the sculpture to tell him what it wants. This concept creates a close symbiotic relationship between the art and the artist. There is a point where the art takes over and the artist disappears. This is the art that Ron strives to achieve and is evident in his work. His love of organic form, of shape and design speak a unique language different to every view angle. His use of negative space as a sculpting medium creates an unusual balance between negative form supported by positive form. It creates a dance to the eye and to the mind. There is a subtle aspect to his work that speaks to the soul, it is form within the form that goes beyond the eye and into the heart. This is the unique quality of his work and what makes it so compelling. With the extensive background in art, design, form and function and years of working with top professionals Ron brings a quality to his art that comes from extensive training and years of exposure to art in its highest expression.