Richard Beyer
Made of Cast Aluminum
The late Richard S. Beyer was a fascinating individual, born in Washington DC, but eventually finding his way to the “other” Washington, settling in Seattle. He held degrees in Social Science, Education and Finance, but after working for many employers in various fields, found his true calling as an artist.
Between 1968 and 2006, Mr. Beyer produced over 90 large sculptures for public spaces in cities Throughout the Pacific Northwest, but also in Georgia, California, Virginia, Minnesota, Arkansas, Iowa and the City of Tashkent in Uzbekistan (a Seattle “Sister City”).
Mr. Beyer was a philosopher as well as artist, stating that “Art is seeing common things transformed by love, and the best public art belongs to the story of a community.” He celebrated the Common Man in his figurative sculptures that reflected on the human condition with gentle humor. “Waiting for the Interurban” in Seattle is the first and probably most well-known of his large public sculptures, and a fine example of his approach.
“Old Man Catching Birds in His Beard” was purchased for Puyallup’s permanent gallery after being named People’s Choice” in 1999.
