David Hostetler, Wood and Bronze Sculptures

October 12, 2007 to January 25, 2008

David Hostetler is the creator of a series of captivating works that celebrate the female form. Inspired by goddesses and women of historical significance, Hostetler has based his life’s work on honoring the spirit, romance and earthiness of “the feminine” in exotic woods and in bronze. Whether revealing the sensuousness of the female figure or rendering visible the gift of feminine intuition, Hostetler’s works are moving, intriguing and a pleasure to touch and to see.

“I love to carve wood. I am passionate about the tactile quality of wood, its color, it’s connection to humanity.”

Hostetler’s current focus is the goddess, and he finds himself peculiarly inspired by the Semitic “Asherah”. Thousands of years ago Phoenicians and Canaanites carved her image from living trees, as Hostetler does now in exotic woods of glorious grains and color.

“Exotic woods such as Zebra, Pink Ivory, and Ziricote are among some of the most exciting woods I have carved into sculptures. The grain and color are a challenge to incorporate into my vision, but the sculptures are rare and unique.”

Hostetler has earned wide acclaim for his unique treatment of the feminine form in wood and bronze. His artwork has been featured in films, on television and in newspapers, magazines, and books. His biography David L. Hostetler The Carver was published by Ohio University Press in 1992.

Biography

David Hostetler was born in Beach City, Ohio in 1926. He is a graduate of Indiana Univeristy and was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University where he taught for 37 years. He retired from teaching as a full professor of sculpture in 1985 and is now Professor Emeritus. David and his wife Susan Crehan-Hostetler divide their time between Athens, Ohio and Nantucket, Massachusetts. David Hostetler’s work has been included in over 200 group shows and has been the subject of one-person exhibitions in galleries and museums throughout the United States.

Select Public Collections

Trump International Hotel & Tower, New York
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts
Kennedy Library, Boston, Massachusetts
Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio
Milwaukee Museum, Wisconsin
Speed Museum, Louisville, Kentucky
Marietta College, Ohio
Fort Lauderdale Museum, Florida
West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon
New York State University of Fredonia
Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio
University of Minnesota Art Gallery, Minneapolis
Mecom Companies, Houston, Texas
City of Reading, Pennsylvania
Ohio University, Athens
DeCordava Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, Massachusetts

If you are interested in viewing more sculptures and prints, please call Susan Crehan-Hostetler and make an appointment to visit the studio or visit the WEB site www.davidhostetler.com

David Hostetler, Wood and Bronze Sculptures (click image to play)