David Govedare
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
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
![](../I/Wild_Horses_Monument%252C_aka_Grandfather_Cuts_Loose_the_Ponies.jpeg.webp)
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]
![](../I/lossy-page1-220px-Highway_feather_2%252C_Coeur_d'Alene%252C_Idaho_LCCN2017708686.tif.jpg.webp)
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]
References
- "Artist Collection". ArtsWA. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
- Various (November 25, 2021). "Obituary: The life and art of David Govedare". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
- Northwest Profiles: David Govedare, retrieved 2022-10-06
- EHwildHORSESpkg, retrieved 2022-10-06
- 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.
- 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.
- "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.
- "Amazing sculptures around the world". The Telegraph. July 26, 2017. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
- "Stories behind the people who inspired Bloomsday runner statues". krem.com. May 2, 2019. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
- "City of Coeur d'Alene - Public Art Northwest Boulevard". www.cdaid.org. Retrieved 2022-08-30.