Elza Mayhew

Elza Mayhew, RCA (1916-2004) was born in Victoria, British Columbia. She received a BA from UBC (1936) and MFA (1963) from the University of Oregon. Mayhew was known for her abstract sculptures that were typically carved in polystyrene and then cast in aluminum or mainly bronze.

She was active as a sculptor from the mid-1950s through the 80s. Most of her work was cast in foundries in Ontario, the U.S., and England. The monumental pieces were cast at the Eugene Aluminum and Brass Foundry in Eugene, Oregon. She exhibited in many cities across Canada, and internationally, in Italy, Japan, and the U.S.

Although she lived her life and studio practice in Victoria, she traveled extensively, often to work at different foundries. At the time, there was no foundry in Canada with the capability of casting the large pieces. She worked primarily from sketches, rarely from models, and described her work as highly structured and architectural while always relating to the human form.

Mayhew produced commissioned works for international events such as Expo 67, Expo 86 and an international trade fair in Tokyo, as well as for public institutions such as the Bank of Canada, the University of Victoria, the Canadian National Capital Commission and the Royal British Columbia Museum.

Mayhew was a member of the Royal Canadian Academy, and was an active member of the Limners Society. Her work is included in the collections of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the National Gallery of Canada, Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria. Her sculpture Column of the Sea is located at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.