Washington and Lee University
To view the sculpture, visit Lee Chapel Museum Shop.
To place an order for one, call the Museum Shop: 540-458-8095.
Price $3800. It takes approx 8-10 weeks for the sculpture to be made. It will be shipped directly from the sculptor.
John B. Mortensen has created over 200 bronze sculptures during the past 35 years. His work depicts wildlife, equestrian, Southwest Indian and historical subjects. Work ranges in size from tabletop to life-size. Over 25 life-size works have been completed to date. Projects include six life-size deer, a life-size elk for a private residence near the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park, Salt Lake City's Hogle Zoo's 60th Anniversary Monument and an outdoor memorial for the American Legion Hall in Jackson Hole. Three life-size moose (bull, cow and calf), for the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum on the campus of the University of Utah, a life-size colt at St John's Hospital, as well as a life-size bronze buffalo for the city of Evanston, Wyoming have also been completed in recent years.
Mortensen is a self-taught artist, although he graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Economics. Mortensen is the Chairman of the Jackson Hole One-Fly Foundation, Board Member Western Design Conference, and past President of the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. He continues to draw his subject matter from the wildlife and ranch life abundant in Jackson Hole, still able to be seen from the back of a horse.
Mortensen began working as a wrangler on ranches in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at a young age, including the R Lazy S and the White Grass. Although he grew up with horses, it is his years on the ranches and trails in the Tetons that have shaped much of his work. John and his wife, Pamela, have made their home, including the artist's studio along Fish Creek in Wilson, Wyoming for over 20 years.
Selected collections and exhibitions of Mortensen's work include: the Buffalo Bill Historical Center Whitney Gallery permanent collection in Cody, Wyoming, the National Museum of Wildlife Western Visions annual exhibit, the University of Utah, Westminster College, State of Utah, Gilcrease Museum, Salt Lake Art Center, Kimball Art Center, Nathan Tuff's Park, Boston, and the Pendleton Roundup.
From this foundation in traditional bronze sculpture he and wife, Pamela, created a collection of western and lodge furnishings in 1992. Designs include chandeliers, other lighting, architectural accents, desks, chairs, cabinets, fireplace screens and the like. Each includes a signature sculpted foundry casting by Mortensen as the major design element. Works can be found in Disney World, Jackson Lake Lodge, the permanent collection of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, and commercial lodges, restaurants and residences throughout the country.