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 he 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]
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]

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]- ↑ "Artist Collection". ArtsWA. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
- 1 2 3 4 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
- 1 2 Schafer, Jill (May 30, 1985). "Former Valley Resident Govedare Captures 'Joy of Running Together' In Sculpture". 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.