Yearning

Morley Myers was a self-taught sculptor born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who grew up primarily in the Medicine Hat region of Alberta. After settling on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia in 1989, Myers began working with stone in 1991, developing his craft through hands-on experience rather than formal training. His work was exhibited throughout western Canada and the United States.

Myers' distinctive sculptural approach involved starting with what he identified as "the defect" in a raw block of stone—a fault line or unruly fracture—to initiate a process of discovery. This method prioritized direct engagement with materials over conceptual frameworks. Through a series of "moves and countermoves" with his chisel, Myers revealed three-dimensional forms that invited viewers to experience how individual elements emerged, dissolved, and influenced the whole composition.

Influenced by modernist sculptors like Picasso, Moore, Brancusi, and Smith, Myers deliberately sought to extend their experimental traditions rather than follow postmodern trends. His work reflected a conscious choice to privilege direct experience with materials over symbolic representation, resulting in sculptures characterized by rich, sensuous forms. Myers described his style as "a unique blend of cross-cultural primitive imagery" that connected with viewers "on a basic level."

Myers was an active member of several professional organizations, including the International Sculpture Centre (ISC), the Salt Spring Island Arts Council, and the West Coast Sculptors Association. After nearly three decades of artistic practice on Salt Spring Island, Morley Myers passed away on June 16, 2018, leaving behind a body of work that bridged traditional sculptural practices with contemporary sensibilities.