Quest Artist of Distinction: Tim Cherry

By Bryn Foreman, associate curator of Western American art

Artist Tim Cherry, left, and Linda Cherry
Image by Brittany Erwin

Coming up this fall is the Eiteljorg’s Quest for the West® Artist of Distinction exhibition, highlighting artist Tim Cherry. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Tim now lives in Branson, Missouri, with his wife, Linda. His career, spanning more than two decades, centers on creating whimsical animal sculptures, usually out of bronze, but sometimes out of stone, steel, and gold leaf.

“Animals have personalities that make me smile, and that is what I try to convey through my work,” Tim Cherry said of his wildlife sculptures. When he was a teenager, a job as an outfitting guide in British Columbia and the Yukon and Northwest Territories provided him close contact with moose, bears and other animals that he now sculpts. To further explore his interest in wildlife, he studied animal anatomy with a taxidermist whose own sculpture inspired Cherry to try his hand.

As a sculptor of animals, both wild and domesticated, Cherry has been influenced more by art nouveau than by strict realism, which is evident in the abstract shapes of his playful, stylized works. His sculptures’ smooth finishes lend themselves to a variety of patinas, adding interest and individuality to his creatures.

Tim Cherry, Creek Mystique, 2025, bronze, steel, gold leaf 17 x 32 x 5 inches, edition of 18

Tim’s artwork – championed by Linda — is widely collected among enthusiasts of and museums specializing in Western American art. Cherry’s work is also on view in public art installations in Colorado, Arkansas and Missouri.

The appeal of Cherry’s sculpture is not just that the pieces are aesthetically pleasing, but that they’re joyful, and contain elements of play. The artwork reflects Tim’s personality, too; he is known for his warm demeanor and welcoming attitude. At last year’s Quest for the West®, Tim Cherry was chosen for the prestigious Artist of Distinction exhibition this year. You can see his sculptures at the Eiteljorg, Aug. 22 through Sept. 27.