1998, cast bronze with polychrome, limited numbered edition 95/100, with incised artist signature in the casting base, presented on an octagonal walnut swivel plinth, the plinth front engraved "Touch the Clouds" / Monument Study 1998 / Dave McGary.

19 1/4 x 13 x 9.5 in.

From the Collection of John and Barbara Suval, Fredericksburg, Virginia, by descent of Philip Suval Inc., founded 1896

Dave grew up in Cody, Wyoming and is known for realistic bronze Native American sculpture. In the 1970's McGary earned a grant to study bronze making with western sculptor Harry Jackson (American, 1924-2011) in Italy, with emphasis on casting techniques and Renaissance marble carving. After gaining further foundry experience working in New Mexico for several years, Dave became highly interested in Native American culture through his friendship with Sioux Indian families in South Dakota. Dave has won numerous awards for his works, including the Honorary Lifetime Alumni Award from Eastern New Mexico University. He has completed several large scale public bronze monuments. In 1995, Dave's monumental 225 foot long bronze equine sculpture, "Free Spirits at Noisy Water," was installed at Hubbard Museum of the American West in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.

The sculpture offered in this lot, "Touch the Clouds," is a monument study for the 30 foot high, 15-foot wide monument weighing over ten tons at the Houston Astrodome. Installed on February 22, 1998, “Touch The Clouds,” depicts a nineteenth century Miniconjou Chief who fought alongside Crazy Horse at the Battle of Little Big Horn. The 20,300-pound monument sculpture was purchased by the city of Edmond, Oklahoma from the Houston Livestock Rodeo Association in 2014.

Good estate condition.

$4,000 - 8,000