Artwork copyright David Govedare. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright David Govedare. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Circle of Friends Series #1, 1994

David Govedare
(American, born 1950, died 2021)

Location: Curlew High and Elementary School, Curlew

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Circle of Friends Series #1 is part of Northwest sculptor David Govedare's body of metal sculptures that highlight the symbolic quality of animal figures. Living on a small ranch in Eastern Washington, Govedare notes "I only depict those creatures that I have shared contact with. We have our own horses and buffalo. I have met a cougar eye to eye at close range and seen the orca break surface in wrangle narrows of Alaska...the development of my art comes from man's ancient urge to document inspiration."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Curlew School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Eastern Washington sculptor David Govedare (1950-2021) uses human and animal figures to create symbolic and visual narratives, mainly in metal. In his own words, "I build stuff from the experiences of life." Govedare is a non-Native artist.

Govedare grew up in California and first came to the Spokane area as a student, for an architecture internship during Expo ’74. He lived and worked in Chewelah, Northeastern Washington.