David Govedare

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

David Govedare (1950 – 2021) was an American artist.[1] He is best known for his public semi-abstract steel sculptures and monuments which are primarily located within the Pacific Northwest. Govedare is known for his unique art style which fuses Native American themes with large metal sculptures.[2] Govedare frequently appeared on television, featuring on shows such as PBS Northwest Profiles[3] and was interviewed by Eric Johnston.[4]

Life[edit]

Govedare grew up in Santa Ynez, California and started working with metal as child, creating lamps with old tin cans. In 1968, he graduated from Santa Ynez Valley High School.[5] He spent most of his adult life working on some of Washington's best known sculptures[6] He lived in Chewelah, Washington spending a decade constructing a strawbale house. Govedere had one son.[2]

Notable works[edit]

Wild Horses Monument

Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies is a significant monument that depicts 15 life-size steel horses which appear to be galloping across a ridge above the Columbia River. According to the Seattle Times, It is estimated to be passed by over 5 million people yearly and is considered to be one of Washington state's most-seen public artworks.[7] In 2017, The Telegraph named it the one of world's most quirky and incredible sculptures.[8]

The Joy of Running Together (also known as the Bloomsday runners), a group of steel runners, created to celebrate the Lilac Bloomsday Run (annual race through Spokane, Washington).[9][5]

Forms part of work 'Guardians of the Lake'

Guardians of the Lake, a large feather monument, situated on Northwest Boulevard gateway into Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.[10]

Spirit of the Northwest wall sculpture at Rogers High School.[2]

From Shadows and Imagination Into Reality which depicts the original 12 Sisters who formed Holy Family Hospital.[2]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Artist Collection". ArtsWA. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  2. ^ a b c d Various (November 25, 2021). "Obituary: The life and art of David Govedare". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
  3. ^ Northwest Profiles: David Govedare, retrieved 2022-10-06
  4. ^ EHwildHORSESpkg, retrieved 2022-10-06
  5. ^ a b Schafer, Jill (May 30, 1985). "Former Valley Resident Govedare Captures 'Joy of Running Together' In Scultpure". Santa Ynez Valley News. pp. B1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Mason, Greg (November 26, 2021). "'He was larger than life': David Govedare, sculptor of Bloomsday runner statues in Riverfront Park, dies | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  7. ^ "Local News | All the pretty horses of Vantage are only half done | Seattle Times Newspaper". 2018-06-16. Archived from the original on 2018-06-16. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  8. ^ "Amazing sculptures around the world". The Telegraph. July 26, 2017. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  9. ^ "Stories behind the people who inspired Bloomsday runner statues". krem.com. May 2, 2019. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  10. ^ "City of Coeur d'Alene - Public Art Northwest Boulevard". www.cdaid.org. Retrieved 2022-08-30.