1962 wood carving of a bird by noted artist Philip Mccracken

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1962 wood carving of a bird by noted artist Philip Mccracken

About the Item

A beautiful wood carving of a bird in flight by the noted American artist Philip Mccracken. It is signed on the back and dated 1962. The wood is composed of different colored exotic woods. There are four wood pegs in the back, one of which is loose.

A brief biography from the American Museum of the Northwest Art:
McCracken, a third generation member of a Skagit Valley family, was born in Bellingham in 1928. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington in 1953 and that summer sailed for England to study as an apprentice under the famed sculptor Henry Moore. They formed a lasting friendship. Moore served as best man at McCracken's wedding in England the following year. In 1955, McCracken and his wife moved to Guemes Island, where they have lived ever since.

McCracken is a versatile artist with a wide range of talents. Primarily a sculptor of wood or bronze, he works with many mediums. His studio is equipped with the tools of a variety of crafts, including painting, glass art, and metalwork. McCracken effectively uses wood interlaced with metal accents in his sculpted portrayals of the universe. Yang (1982), a polychrome on wood sculpture in the museum collection, is an example of his use of the combination of materials.

The creatures of nature are McCracken's favored subjects: frogs, rabbits, and a variety of birds- often owls. He captures the essence of the subject in purity of design, spare lines, and a lifelike countenance. The warm, whimsical animals bring a smile to the eyes of the viewer. McCracken's work reflects his respect for nature and the harmony of his world. His craftsmanship has been described as "exquisite," and he is noted for his brushwork and the ability to project vitality into inanimate objects.

McCracken's work has been included in group exhibits in major museums around the U.S., including the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., and the Chicago Art Institute, Solo exhibitions have been held in New York at the Willard Gallery and the Kennedy Galleries. In 1964 McCracken was the first to be honored as Washington State Artist of the Year, and in 1994 he was awarded the Washington State Governor's Art Award. His sculptures are in numerous private and public collections.

Selected works in the MoNA permanent collection:

Hornet's Nest, 1969, sculpture,

Spirit Fish,1952, woodcut,

Guemes Summer, n.d., woodcut,

Untitled (Birds in a Tree), n.d.,
woodcut,

Carrot Figure, 1979,
etching,

Curious Birds, 1979,
etching,

Birds, Tree, Nest, n.d.,
drawing,

Sparking Sea, 1978,
oil painting,

and a set of 5 original drawings.

Bio by: Sonia Kazanjian, 1997

Dimensions:
Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Carved
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
1962
Condition:
Excellent with age appropriate wear and the aforementioned loose peg.
Seller Location:
Palm Springs, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: U0808248350506