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

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

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

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

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

Centennial Bell Garden Benches, 1993

David Mahler
American (born 1944)

Location: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle

About the Artwork

Centennial Bell Garden Benches are a series of fives benches located at the Washington State Convention Center. Artist David Mahler combined bell yokes and other bell parts with found seating, including a tractor seat, wooden plans, and padded chair seats. He created the benches from materials left over from his 1989 installation, Centennial Bell Garden. This installation displayed 39 different historical bells from each Washington County in celebration of the state's centennial.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State Convention Center.

About the Artist

David Mahler is a composer, artist, and writer. A long-time Seattle resident (1972-2005), he has composed music for Richard Hugo House, the Olympia Chamber Orchestra, and the Georgetown Steamplant. He served as founder and musical director of the Volunteer Park Conservatory Orchestra from 1990 to 1997. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in 1967. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts in 1972. He currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.