Dan Rider has been a sculptor for over 25 years and works in several mediums including bronze, copper mesh, concrete, and natural stone. Dan cooperates with landscape architects, interior designers, art consultants, and galleries to commission his signature designs and textures on both interior and outdoor modern abstract and representational sculpture. Dan invites you also to view his work and consult with his gallery representation in San Francisco, Napa, Avila Beach, Palm Desert, and Santa Fe, NM. Dan is both currently adding to his inventory of bronze sculpture and fabricating new organic wall sculptures for domestic and commercial installations. Please contact us for commission quotes, availability of works, and for shipping estimates.

Artist Statement:
Over 25 years of sculpture design & mold making experience have culminated in my latest series of outdoor garden sculpture called "Spirit Markers". These modern abstract totems featuring layers of varying materials, such as rock, reinforced concrete, brass, and copper have been my primary focus. As a result each piece resonates with its own unique and distinct character. Since I have always favored large and bold statements for outdoor sculpture my pieces begin at 6 feet and head skyward from there. I begin with sketches, which allow me the freedom of fantasizing and unlimited imagination. Then I proceed to the fabrication of the top most element of the sculpture, which brings me back to the practicality of design and structure. Once I have the "crowning" element, I begin construction on the chosen site utilizing molds, rock & concrete. The final touches may include patinas, staining, and sealing. These organic pieces range from soaring & curving, to jutting and angular. I've often considered the transfer of spirit or life force out of our bodies at the end of our lives. We have heard many stories about heading for the light from near death experiences. I have passed my midpoint in years and have witnessed the premature departures of several friends and family members. I think for those reasons I needed a concept and clarification to help me find a peace about this end of the adventure we call life.

The "Elder" series began as a group of sketches of "soul vehicles". These would be the vessels encapsulating, lifting, and floating away all of our personal essence within pods. I am intrigued by the contradiction between the lightness of spirit (fluttering wings) and the human tendency to carry so much baggage (the weight of bronze). Along with the pharaohs and their afterlife boats, I am also unwilling to leave it all behind. While the destination is unclear, the Elders seem to be a sound vessel for sailing on to the next destination. Elements of these designs later evolved into other bronze pieces "A Matter of Balance", "Craftsman Castle", "Warp Motion", and "Star Shot".

My focus of 3-dimensional expression in sculpture has recently expanded from abstract bronze pieces to include organic representative wall pieces. The latest I call the "Run River Run", "Flight/ Kites" and the "Barley" Series" were influenced by a collection of photo studies of plants by Karl Blossfelt along with being visually influenced by my daily environment surrounding me in the High Desert of Oregon. The challenge has been to create movement with simple minimal copper and aluminum elements that would appear to have grown into their composition.