Corporations
Beyer became acquainted with several architects early in his career and they commissioned him to provide sculptures for buildings they were working on. Before the creation of the Washington State Arts Commission, architects were free to hire any artist they chose when working on buildings. This created an artistic whole and creative freedom for both the artist and architect. In the mid 1990s, after the establishment of the Commission, this became a problem because bureaucrats, especially in Seattle, thought they knew better which artists should be given the opportunity to work on projects. Artistic merit was not necessarily the first consideration. But by then, Beyer’s reputation was established and several commercial ventures hired him independently. Many of Beyer’s designs involve people or animals that have personalities and are placed in what seems to be a stage setting where the viewer catches a glimpse of a fleeting moment.
Beyer became acquainted with several architects early in his career and they commissioned him to provide sculptures for buildings they were working on. Before the creation of the Washington State Arts Commission, architects were free to hire any artist they chose when working on buildings. This created an artistic whole and creative freedom for both the artist and architect. In the mid 1990s, after the establishment of the Commission, this became a problem because bureaucrats, especially in Seattle, thought they knew better which artists should be given the opportunity to work on projects. Artistic merit was not necessarily the first consideration. But by then, Beyer’s reputation was established and several commercial ventures hired him independently. Many of Beyer’s designs involve people or animals that have personalities and are placed in what seems to be a stage setting where the viewer catches a glimpse of a fleeting moment.
The Ecologist and His Dog
The Spectrum Building
1580 Lincoln Street
Denver, CO
1981, cast aluminum
When the Spectrum Building in Denver, CO, was being built by a group of “oil magnates,” they asked Beyer to create a sculpture for the atrium of their gleaming modern structure. The owners envisioned something to do with the oil business. Instead, Beyer created “the geologist who didn’t make it,” a hippie character sitting on a bench playing a banjo and singing to his dog, with his hat at his feet for donations. Fourteen floors above the atrium are eight gigantic prisms that reflect colored light below onto the humble figures. Beyer likes the incongruity of the informal against a formal background, or as he said, “the gross against the elegant.”
1580 Lincoln Street
Denver, CO
1981, cast aluminum
When the Spectrum Building in Denver, CO, was being built by a group of “oil magnates,” they asked Beyer to create a sculpture for the atrium of their gleaming modern structure. The owners envisioned something to do with the oil business. Instead, Beyer created “the geologist who didn’t make it,” a hippie character sitting on a bench playing a banjo and singing to his dog, with his hat at his feet for donations. Fourteen floors above the atrium are eight gigantic prisms that reflect colored light below onto the humble figures. Beyer likes the incongruity of the informal against a formal background, or as he said, “the gross against the elegant.”
The Construction Workers
The Wright Schuchart Building
Pontius Ave. N. at Republican
Seattle, WA
1982, cast aluminum
This sculpture is in storage as the building is no longer there. A new Museum of History and Industry is planned for Seattle, and when it is complete, the Howard S. Wright Company plans to donate the sculpture to the museum.
Beyer’s sculpture illustrates the stress of the construction industry. A worker is patiently standing by with a wheelbarrow full of “hot” cement. He is waiting for the owner, the architect and the contractor try to figure out where the cement should go. If they don’t decide soon, the cement will harden!
As quoted in The Art People Love, p. 58: “ To the right, the contractor has a waist belt with tools and stands with his back to the front window of the building, scratching his head in confusion. The architect stands near him looking through the window at the pretty receptionist. The owner stands next, pointing to the opposite wall as if to say, ‘the wall needs to be patched there.’…”
Pontius Ave. N. at Republican
Seattle, WA
1982, cast aluminum
This sculpture is in storage as the building is no longer there. A new Museum of History and Industry is planned for Seattle, and when it is complete, the Howard S. Wright Company plans to donate the sculpture to the museum.
Beyer’s sculpture illustrates the stress of the construction industry. A worker is patiently standing by with a wheelbarrow full of “hot” cement. He is waiting for the owner, the architect and the contractor try to figure out where the cement should go. If they don’t decide soon, the cement will harden!
As quoted in The Art People Love, p. 58: “ To the right, the contractor has a waist belt with tools and stands with his back to the front window of the building, scratching his head in confusion. The architect stands near him looking through the window at the pretty receptionist. The owner stands next, pointing to the opposite wall as if to say, ‘the wall needs to be patched there.’…”
Man Slopping Pigs
Don Beyer Motors, Inc.
1231 West Broad St.
Falls Church, VA
1984, cast aluminum
Rich Beyer’s brother Donald owned an auto dealership in Falls Church, VA (his children still own the business) and Don wanted a sculpture to serve as a town landmark. Rich and his two brothers were raised on a Virginia farm near Washington, DC, and Rich loved the images of rural life. His mother, Clara, who worked for the FDR administration, also loved farming and had a fondness for pigs. The brothers had often claimed that Falls Church was the “hog capital of Northern Virginia…and no one has proved otherwise.” So it was natural for Rich to create the "Man Slopping Pigs" – a “study in pig energy,” in honor of their mother. Donald is sure it represents “five bureaucrats at the government trough.”
1231 West Broad St.
Falls Church, VA
1984, cast aluminum
Rich Beyer’s brother Donald owned an auto dealership in Falls Church, VA (his children still own the business) and Don wanted a sculpture to serve as a town landmark. Rich and his two brothers were raised on a Virginia farm near Washington, DC, and Rich loved the images of rural life. His mother, Clara, who worked for the FDR administration, also loved farming and had a fondness for pigs. The brothers had often claimed that Falls Church was the “hog capital of Northern Virginia…and no one has proved otherwise.” So it was natural for Rich to create the "Man Slopping Pigs" – a “study in pig energy,” in honor of their mother. Donald is sure it represents “five bureaucrats at the government trough.”
The King Family Watching TV
King Broadcasting
333 Dexter Ave. North
Seattle, WA
1988, cast aluminum
333 Dexter Ave. North
Seattle, WA
1988, cast aluminum
Boy and the Alligator
McDonalds
Near 2780 78th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA
1989, cast aluminum
Mercer Island is a city on an island in Lake Washington, east of Seattle. In 1987 the city center was being renovated and their Design Council wanted to bring some humor to a community that took itself too seriously. They commissioned Rich to do a sculpture, which he called “Growing Up.” When a new McDonald’s restaurant was to open at the site two years later, the Council encouraged McDonald’s to commission another Beyer work. Their idea was for a little boy sharing his hamburger with a bum. Rich thought the idea too sentimental so he instead he created a boy lounging with an alligator, a fantasy that appears perfectly plausible.
Near 2780 78th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA
1989, cast aluminum
Mercer Island is a city on an island in Lake Washington, east of Seattle. In 1987 the city center was being renovated and their Design Council wanted to bring some humor to a community that took itself too seriously. They commissioned Rich to do a sculpture, which he called “Growing Up.” When a new McDonald’s restaurant was to open at the site two years later, the Council encouraged McDonald’s to commission another Beyer work. Their idea was for a little boy sharing his hamburger with a bum. Rich thought the idea too sentimental so he instead he created a boy lounging with an alligator, a fantasy that appears perfectly plausible.
Man Eating Dog Food
Across from the Beyer Auto Dealership
Falls Church, VA
Installation Date: 2012
(Creation Date: 2002?), cast aluminum
“Man Eating Dog Food” is a life-sized piece in cast aluminum. Beyer described it as “our retirement plan” – the man has grown a dog-like tail while eating his can of dog food! It was recently sold through this website. During 2010 and the spring of 2012, “Man Eating Dog Food” was on display in Lake Oswego, OR, part of their Gallery Without Walls - a local partnership between the Arts Council and businesses, bringing a wide variety of original sculpture onto the streets of Lake Oswego. "Man Eating Dog Food" was a controversial piece among the people of Lake Oswego - most loved it, but some were offended. Beyer expected this reaction, and delighted in it.
Falls Church, VA
Installation Date: 2012
(Creation Date: 2002?), cast aluminum
“Man Eating Dog Food” is a life-sized piece in cast aluminum. Beyer described it as “our retirement plan” – the man has grown a dog-like tail while eating his can of dog food! It was recently sold through this website. During 2010 and the spring of 2012, “Man Eating Dog Food” was on display in Lake Oswego, OR, part of their Gallery Without Walls - a local partnership between the Arts Council and businesses, bringing a wide variety of original sculpture onto the streets of Lake Oswego. "Man Eating Dog Food" was a controversial piece among the people of Lake Oswego - most loved it, but some were offended. Beyer expected this reaction, and delighted in it.
The Farmers
Quality Foods Centers, Inc. (QFC)
Near 2780 78th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA
1994, cast aluminum
Several years later on Mercer Island, a new QFC grocery store commission another Beyer piece, completing the design concept for the T intersection where two other Beyer sculptures stand. The people in the sculpture represent a middle-age couple from Mercer Island. Their family has grown and they are now retired. “Now their avocation is gardening and they learn about the intrinsic value of their land, follow the sun and the seasons, and nurture their souls.” QFC approved the artistic symbolism of raising fresh vegetables.
Near 2780 78th Ave. SE
Mercer Island, WA
1994, cast aluminum
Several years later on Mercer Island, a new QFC grocery store commission another Beyer piece, completing the design concept for the T intersection where two other Beyer sculptures stand. The people in the sculpture represent a middle-age couple from Mercer Island. Their family has grown and they are now retired. “Now their avocation is gardening and they learn about the intrinsic value of their land, follow the sun and the seasons, and nurture their souls.” QFC approved the artistic symbolism of raising fresh vegetables.
The Bald Barber
TEWL Beauty Salon,
Bellevue, WA
1999, cast aluminum
The proprietor of a beauty shop in Bellevue, WA, was trying to think of an appropriate symbol of his business. He wanted to announce to the professional people of town that they would be getting a hair cut from someone who really knew how to do a good job. Beyer had a reputation for amusing sculptures and was asked to come up with a design. What materialized was :The Bald Barber: who is delighted with his bald cut! A Japanese house cat at his feet invites the public to come and see this grand salon.
Bellevue, WA
1999, cast aluminum
The proprietor of a beauty shop in Bellevue, WA, was trying to think of an appropriate symbol of his business. He wanted to announce to the professional people of town that they would be getting a hair cut from someone who really knew how to do a good job. Beyer had a reputation for amusing sculptures and was asked to come up with a design. What materialized was :The Bald Barber: who is delighted with his bald cut! A Japanese house cat at his feet invites the public to come and see this grand salon.
Dancing Goats
Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters
Olympia, WA,
2001, cast aluminum
Olympia, WA,
2001, cast aluminum
The Story of Bricklaying
Mutual Materials Corporation
Bellevue, WA,
1984, carved brick
In 1984 the Mutual Materials brick company launched a nationwide promotion to introduce carved brick sculpturing. Beyer was asked to decorate a new addition to their main office building with bricklaying scenes. He was glad for the chance to demonstrate the technique of deep relief sculpturing that he had used for many years, and to show how the strength and integrity of the brick walls are maintained with the carving.
On the building’s interior walls, Beyer carved thee life-sized brick workers – a man mixing mortar, a hod carrier, and a mason. (Now the only person needed for bricklaying is the mason is because of his special hand skills). Beyer’s mason seems to be “having a spiritual experience slopping motor onto a brick.” (MWB)
Unfortunately, a showroom addition to the building, done at a later date, has placed these impressive figures in an area of the company that is no longer open to the public – unless you know enough to ask the salesperson.
Bellevue, WA,
1984, carved brick
In 1984 the Mutual Materials brick company launched a nationwide promotion to introduce carved brick sculpturing. Beyer was asked to decorate a new addition to their main office building with bricklaying scenes. He was glad for the chance to demonstrate the technique of deep relief sculpturing that he had used for many years, and to show how the strength and integrity of the brick walls are maintained with the carving.
On the building’s interior walls, Beyer carved thee life-sized brick workers – a man mixing mortar, a hod carrier, and a mason. (Now the only person needed for bricklaying is the mason is because of his special hand skills). Beyer’s mason seems to be “having a spiritual experience slopping motor onto a brick.” (MWB)
Unfortunately, a showroom addition to the building, done at a later date, has placed these impressive figures in an area of the company that is no longer open to the public – unless you know enough to ask the salesperson.
Story of Bricklaying (Detail)
Mutual Materials Corporation
Bellevue, WA,
1984, carved brick
Bellevue, WA,
1984, carved brick
Return to the Wild
Sleeping Lady Conference Retreat
Leavenworth, WA,
2000, bronze and cast aluminum
Leavenworth, WA,
2000, bronze and cast aluminum