Workshop Stool, by Hobart Ray Brown (1934-2007) "Creator of the Kinetic Sculpture Races"

For your consideration, an important work by the American artist and bohemian Hobart Brown (1934-2007). This stool Measuring 28 1/2" tall and 12" wide was created by Brown in the 1960's (or possibly 1970's) and was his personal workshop stool; this is the stool that was in his Ferndale, CA workshop. This elegant and spirited seminal work is in excellent condition, and amazingly well crafted and very stable. Created in copper pipe and steel, it features its original fabric seat cover (detachable for cleaning). This piece has remained in that family's possession, and was displayed prominently in the Hobart Brown kinetic sculpture museum and gallery in Eureka, CA. This very early and seminal piece reflects themes that Hobart has utilized in many of his later works, such as found objects, and displays a wry, and uniquely American, form of humor. Hobart Brown was an American sculptor and creator of "Kinetic sculpture racing", which was originally composed of hand-made individualized and modified bicycles (later to include other human-propelled vehicles). Elegant when viewed from any angle, and major work by an American bohemian icon.

Hobart Brown, bio. After a stint as an airplane mechanic with the U.S. Army in Cambrai - Fritsh Kaserne Darmstadt, Germany, and time spent running hot rods with his friends on local empty roads, he decided in 1962 to become an artist and moved to Humboldt County, California. Arriving in 1962 with his wife and two sons, he immediately opened the first of several Hobart Galleries; the first in Eureka, California, others in Trinidad and finally Ferndale, California. Face of War by Hobart Brown is the model for a proposed Australian War Memorial.

Over the years, the Hobart Galleries has represented more than 150 local artists - launching several careers and providing much needed exposure to younger artists by adding them to an established stable of better-known names.

Hobart had four children, three boys and one girl.

Hobart was instrumental in helping Morris Graves settle in his beautiful home nestled in the hills outside Loleta, California. Exhibits, Collectors and Awards A sculpture of copper and brass on steel armature

A few of Hobart's many exhibits have included: White House and Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.; the Ronald Reagan Museum, BC Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA; LA City Museum; Palm Springs Museum; Leeuwin Estates, Australia; and the Oscar Meyer Museum.

Hobart's collectors include President Ronald Reagan, Johnny Carson, Congressman Don Clausen, LA City Museum, U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, Riverboat Casino Las Vegas, California Department of Transportation, the College of the Redwoods and more than 500 individuals and companies.

Hobart created the Republican Party Perpetual Trophy by commission from the Party.

Over the years, Hobart received many awards including listings in Who's Who Worldwide, being made an honorary Rotarian and annual proclamations from both the Eureka and Arcata City Councils.

* Television - ABC, CBS, CNN, Disney, NBC Today Show, Nickelodeon, Weird Houses and Weird Wheels, Game Show Network, and more.

* Movies - "It will Have Blinking Eyes" an award-winning documentary about the Kinetic Sculpture Race by China Blue films shown at the Sundance Film Festival.

* Print - National Geographic World, Popular Mechanics, San Francisco Chronicle, Smithsonian Magazine, The Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, The Age, Perth Australia Time, Times-Standard, Arcata Eye, North Coast Journal, Humboldt Independent and The Eureka Reporter.

* Radio - broadcaster for six years and many interviews since.

* Publications "Kinetic Sculpture Racing, A Complete Guide": Founder Hobart Brown Tells All - a guide to Kinetic Sculpture Racing and its underlying philosophy. ISBN 1-879312-07-7

Item ID: CS-173