Artwork copyright Richard Beyer. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard Beyer. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard Beyer. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard Beyer. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard Beyer. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Richard Beyer. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2014.

Coyotes and the Chickens, 2005

Richard Beyer
(American, born 1925, died 2012)

Location: Yakima Valley College, Yakima

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Coyotes and the Chickens is Richard Beyer's statement of peace in the presence of a rival. It points to the artist's belief that love is the ultimate triumph. Beyer included these words on the artwork's base: "This is Beyer's last sculpture. Make art, not bombs." He also notes, "The 'superior person' determines the luck of the 'inferior.' The big coyotes discuss the fate of the chickens."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Yakima Valley Community College.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Richard Beyer (1925-2012) created sculptures for public spaces. His figurative sculptures reflect community identity as well as local values and lore. Many of his artworks can be found in Washington and Oregon. In his own words, "Public sculpture properly belongs to the people and should be meaningful to them. Sculpture should be in every nook and cranny where people live, to tell them about themselves."

Beyer grew up in Virginia. He was drafted into the U.S. Army (1944-46) during World War II (1939-1945), seeing action at the Battle of the Bulge. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (1952) from Columbia University in New York City and a Master of Arts degree (1955) in Education from the University of Vermont. In 1957, Beyer moved his family to Seattle to work on a PhD in Economics. However he was unfulfilled and his woodcarving hobby led him to dedicate himself to sculpture in 1964. He set up a foundry to cast aluminum in his Fremont studio. In 1988, he moved his life and foundry to Pateros, Central Washington until 2005. He lived his final years in New York City.