James Muir Biography

James N. Muir was born in Indianapolis, Indiana 1945. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for one and a half years and completed his B.S. Degree at Indiana University in 1970, while also having served six years in both the U.S. Army and Air Force. His professional art career as a sculptor began in Sedona, Arizona 1980 where he has continued to be a full-time professional artist for the past three decades. He owned his own bronze casting foundry, Seraph M Fine Art Bronze, from 1982 to 1988 in Sedona, Arizona. He has completed over 100 sculptures to date, with over 60 lifesize monumental sculptures placed in public locations across the country and abroad.

Allegorical Art is a term Muir uses to describe his art as being filled with symbolic meaning. Bridging the centuries from his historical military subjects to today's social, political and spiritual commentary, his sculptures speak eloquently of Duty, Honor, Courage, and Justice, but above all, of Truth and the ultimate triumph of the Human Spirit. He has built upon the recognition gained initially as an historical military sculptor to create an ever-expanding array of artistic commentary exemplifying the highest qualities of man.

Muir's early interest in history and the military was reinforced by his experiences as a West Point cadet and to which he also attributes the cementing of his personal "Code of Honor." Muir's ever-deeper involvement with horses, and his continuing quest for spiritual Truth, led him to Arizona in 1979 for the freedom and inspiration of the great American West. He ultimately settled in Sedona, Arizona and there embarked on a full-time career in sculpting, initially specializing in historical subjects. In 1990 he began to expand his work to include contemporary subjects and accepting commissions in lifesize and monumental.

His meticulous attention to detail, coupled with an insightful grasp of the human experience resulted in exquisitely crafted and poignant bronzes. He quickly gained the acclaim of collectors around the country. Some of the public collections Muir's work resides include: West Point Military Academy in New York, U.S. Cavalry Museum at Fort Riley, Booth Museum in Georgia, Birkenau Museum at Auschwitz, St. Louis University, Gettysburg Battlefield Museum, Vanguard University, GOW School, Pearce Western Art Museum, Sons of The American Revolution Headquarters, University of Arizona, Atlanta Historical Society, Paul Harvey News Broadcasting Headquarters, George W. Bush, Sr. office, and some of the most prominent private collections in America.

One long-term goal realized, was Muir's first book, "Lanterns Along The Path", published in 2004 with a second printing in 2005. The book was chosen to be offered nationwide by Barnes & Noble. A labor of love, Muir spent nearly seven years writing the book that showcases all of his sculptures with a flowing narrative which addresses the spirit of the human journey. The book is already being recognized as its own work of art: Muir received the "2004 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award" in the Inspirational Category.

Another goal also achieved in 2005 was the founding of "The Human Liberty ARTT Foundation", (ARTT-Artistic Responsibility To Truth), whose mission is To proclaim and promote Human Liberty through the Arts and Education, place sculptures and monuments to Courage, Hope, and Freedom around the world, publish related books, present an annual art scholarship, and a "Human Liberty Award".

In keeping with his deep spiritual convictions and social consciousness, Muir's sculptural and philanthropic works reflect the critical nature of the times in which we live. Whether historical or contemporary, "The golden thread that ties it all together is still his never-ending quest for the essence of life - for Truth in its purest form."