Edward Materson

About the Artist

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Edward Materson first studied art at the Brooklyn Museum School. His studies continued with a scholarship to Cooper Union School of Art and Architecture in New York City. Since 1964, as a year-round Maine resident, he has continued to explore new methods of artistic expression. Self taught as a sculptor, Materson acquired the skills of modeling, carving, molding and casting. Retired from a full time position as graphic artist he appreciates having the time to fully explore the coastal beauty of Maine, and to translate that beauty through a variety of media, while also devoting more time to sculpture in clay and bronze. He and his wife, Emily have lived in Cape Elizabeth for over thirty years.

His commissions as a sculptor in bronze include a life-size portrait of Olympic champion runner, Joan Benoit-Samuelson for Cape Elizabeth, Maine&#59; a life-size bronze relief also of Joan Benoit, privately commissioned, a bronze relief for the Limington High School in Limington, Maine through the Percent for Art program and the Maine Arts Commission. He was commissioned by Mt. Cranmore Ski Area in North Conway to create a life-size bronze of founder, Hannes Schneider. This figure was enlarged using the method employed 2000 years ago in Greece. All of the enlarging, modelling, molding and casting in plaster was performed by the sculptor. A smaller version of this sculpture was commissioned by the Hannes Schneider Meister Cup Race committee. Materson has exhibited at the National Sculpture Society 50th Exhibition in New York, the Daniel Chester French estate in Stockbridge, Mass. as well as other locations in New England. A portrait of gymnast Nadia Comaneci resides in the Museum of Sports, Bucharest, Romania. He has served as Co-Chairman of the Cape Elizabeth Arts Commission.
Recently a bronze bas-relief for South Portland honoring the late Arvin ''''Ge'''' Erskine, former Director of Public Works, was completed and installed at the Erskine Park, South Portland. This is perhaps the largest hand-modelled bronze bas relief to be completed in the area, measuring 3 feet wide by 4 feet high. It was cast in New York at the Tallix Foundry and was commissioned by citizens of South Portland. Materson continues to sculpt as well as work in oils, pastel and other media.