Monuments to redemption

The driftwood bird sculptures at Esquimalt Lagoon are not just manifestations of artistic talent, they are monuments to redemption. In February 2000, Paul Lewis was sentenced to eight years in prison on six counts of armed robbery. His crime spree ended when, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, he tried to rob a View Royal liquor store and was tackled by employees. He had turned to robbery to feed his cocaine addiction.

Incarceration turned his life around. He developed his talents as an artist, sketching portraits for other inmates and drawing wildlife. He worked with the prison system, gaining the respect of guards and inmates.

He continued to pursue artistic endeavours after completing his sentence. Inspired by Alex Witcombe’s beach sculptures, he began creating his own pieces from materials found along the shore. His bird sculptures have captured an enthusiastic following, including one person who travelled from Medicine Hat, Alta., to Esquimalt just to see his sculptures.

Lewis makes no excuses about his violent past. “I’m glad I’m not there any more,” he says. “I’m glad I’m where I am now.”

His sculptures are a visual reminder that we shouldn’t write people off, that people can change. Like his art works fashioned from beach debris, he took the scattered pieces of his life and assembled them into something of value, not just to himself, but to society as well.