Sculpture
STALL
Oct 2016
“stall”
I am stalling. I am playing for time. In this space of my life I am filling it with this process that is the creation of a built thing. It is the thing that comes before the next and the thing that comes after the last thing. On its own, it is proof that I existed over a period of time. And that I was active and added to the world.
Mike Rathbun
photo, Malcolm Smith
… Read the rest
Hireling Shepherd
Mar 2015
Hireling Shepherd, 2015 16’x12’x12′ Bellevue Art Museum, WA.
Something like this could usually be easily remedied. Well, probably not easily, but could be remedied. It happened slowly in a way that, while it could be conceived of, was barely believed. Then it happened all at once. I guess, at that point it was easier to call the growing discomfort a sense of anticipation—to tell ourselves this was something we chose—to distract ourselves until the numbness was almost complete and we could say, this is what pleasure feels like, if not pleasure than peace, if not peace then at least contentment. … Read the rest
Shepherd II
Feb 2015
Shepherd II
attendant, witness, overseer, caretaker, guard, minister, pilot, teacher, observer, watcher, supervisor, protector…
20’x30’x30′, wood, steel,2014, Bellwether, Public Art installation, Bellevue City Park, Bellevue WA.
Parade
Dec 2013
“Parade” 2013, 40’X40’X77′, wood, steel, light, sound. Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN.
I would like to thank the following people without who’s hearts, hands, hospitality and generosity this work could not have been realized
Thank you
Kim, Ameilia and Melissa Rathbun, John Hock, Tamsie Ringler, Ken Edwards and the Starseed Foundation, Bob and Betty Lee Rathbun, Russell Rathbun, Mike Wurtz, Jeanne Dimeglio, Thad Dahlberg, Forest Lewis, Chris Larson, Asher Larson, Jason Bord, Dane Winkler, Adam McGee-Abe, Jonathan Haynes, Jeremy Szopinski, Peter Morales, Kevin Dart, Hugh Bryant, Freya Gabie, Hillary Mussell, Anders Nienstaedt, Julia Sisson, … Read the rest
Attend
Dec 2013
Attend, 2013, 12’x50’x33′, laminated poplar,re-used timbers, family photos, Archer Gallery, Clark College, Vancouver, WA.
Sometimes, instructing children in the old days, he had been asked by some black lozenge-eyed Indian child, ‘What is God like?’ and he would answer facilely with references to the father and the mother, or perhaps more ambitiously he would include brother and sister and try to give some idea of all loves and relationships combined in an immense and yet personal passion… But at the centre of his faith there always stood the convincing mystery–that we were made in God’s image. God was the parent, … Read the rest
The Situation He Found Himself In
Jun 2011
The Situation He Found Himself In, 22’x 70’x97’
Date: June 25, 2011 – March 11, 2012
Location: Bosie Art Museum, Boise, ID
The Situation He Found Himself In
June 25, 2011 – March 11, 2012
Portland artist Mike Rathbun has created a monumental circular wood structure designed specifically for BAM’s dynamic eighty-foot Sculpture Court. Made from Pacific Albus (hybrid poplar), the huge oval ascends 20 feet in the air and appears to pierce the outer walls of the Sculpture Court, cross over the outside courtyard and return through the east wall of BAM’s Nelson
Urgency
Mar 2011
A large-scale sculptural installation by Portland-based artist Mike Rathbun
Entering Mike Rathbun’s Urgency is like stumbling down a rabbit hole. This bizarre world recalls the magical darkness of the Brothers Grimm and the wondrous imagination of Maurice Sendek’s Where the Wild Things Are. Rathbun’s powerful installation evokes both unease and wonder. On one hand, the space compels exploration, but it also is filled with a sense of foreboding. As visitors in this strange environment, we are swallowed up by its monumental scale and dwarfed by a menacing forest of thorns that appear to burst out of the gallery’s … Read the rest
i’m bad, i’m good, i’m bad…
May 2010
Date: 2010
Dimensions: 18′ x 33′ x 37′
Location: Schneider Museum of Art, Southern Oregon University
Ashland, OR
I would like to extend a special thanks to all those who made this project possible. Thank you to Josine Starrels for her faith in the work. Thank you to Michael Crane, Stephen Frazier and the Schneider Museum. Thank you to Lee Jimerson and the Collins Company, Jeff Nuss and Greenwood Resources for their material support.
And thank you to those who without their hearts and hands this project would not have been possible:
Kim, Melissa and Ameilia Rathbun, … Read the rest
Social Practice
Mar 2009
Date: March 2009
Location: Ogle Gallery, Portland OR
Review – Willamete Week, April 23 2009
Untitled
Sep 2008
Date:September 2008
Material:Wood
Location: Western Oregon University, OR
Special thanks to: Gustav Axelsen-Chidsey, Adam Bowerman, Rapheal Cueves… Read the rest
Redemption 1,2,3!
Apr 2008
Date: 2008
Material: wood and red paint
Dimensions: 11′ x 15′ x 15′
Location: Hoffman Gallery, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR
I want to be in the Olympics. Sometimes if I think about it enough, I need to be in the Olympics. When I was in high school I ran good enough that it seemed possible that it could be a reality. And for some reason, when I discovered this I started smoking, or rather continued to smoke. I still talked about it a lot. I talked until the words change to “I could have been in the Olympics.” … Read the rest
N47° 36.878′ W 122°20.788′
Sep 2007
Date: September 2007
Material: mixed
Location: Suyama Space, Seattle WA… Read the rest
Deviations from Plumb
Mar 2007
Date: March 2007
Material: Wood, Hydrostone, Red Paint
Location: Bethel University, St. Paul, MN… Read the rest
N45°23.871′ W122°38.864′
Sep 2005
Date: September 2005
Material: pine/spruce/fir
Dimensions: 26’x40’x40’
Location: Art Gym, Marylhurst University, West Linn, OR
Compost
Apr 2005
Date: 2005
Material: wood
Dimensions: 9’x24’x24′
Location: Ogle Gallery, Portland, Oregon… Read the rest
Heroic/Pathetic Ironies
Apr 2004
Date: 2004
Material: wood
Dimensions: 9’x30’x30′
Location: Ogle Gallery, Portland, Oregon… Read the rest
Heroic/pathetic Irony II
Oct 2002
Date: October 2002
Material: Pine
Dimensions: 12’x12’x12′
Location: Virginia Groot Alumni show, Chicago, IL
Special Thanks to:
The Virginia Groot Foundation, Candice Groot, Nina West, Bob Rathbun, Matt Rathbun, Kim, Melissa and Ameilia Rathbun… Read the rest
Passing Revelation
Oct 2002
Date: October 2002
Material: cedar/douglas fir
Dimensions: 14’ x 53’ x 33’
Location: Mount Hood Community College, Gresham, OR
Special Thanks to:
Tamsie Ringler and her sculpture/3-d design classes, Marris Stroughtmanis, Bob Rathbun, Matt Rathbun, Stone, Emma and Bailey Rathbun, Mount Hood Community College Student Association, Pat Barrett, Camille Ainsworth, Judy Wang,Allison Siphron, Rosie Sturm, Tara Owens, Oja Lumber, Jerry Camp-Camps Lumber.… Read the rest
Heroic/pathetic Irony
Aug 2002
Date: August 2002
Material: Steel/concrete
Dimensions: 39’8″x24’x9′
Location: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer MN… Read the rest
Untitled
Jul 2002
Date: July 2002
Material: poplar/pine
Dimensions: 6’x16’x16′
Location: Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA
Special Thanks to:
Huntington Beach Art Center, The City of Huntington Beach, Dean DeCoker, Darlene DiAngelo, Wignall Museum Gallery, Virginia Eaton, Rebecca Trawick, Adam Belt, Rodger Tilton, Erina Higa,Stella Stauffer, Eric B. Cabunoc, Daniel Lumbreras, Dorian Cobian.… Read the rest
Confessional
Mar 2001
Date: March 2001
Material: Wood, Glass
Dimensions: 8′ X 5′ X 10′
Location:
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restRussell Ratbun
David Kaihai
Thad Dahlberg
Untitled
Dec 2000
Date: December 2000
Material: Concrete and Wood
Dimensions: 8′ X 4′ X 6′
Location:
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restThad Dahlberg
N34°06.211’ W117°42.712’
Oct 2000
Date: October 2000
Material: Poplar
Dimensions: 14’ x 38’ x 38’
Location:
Press About the Piece:
Redemption and the Art of Michael Rathbun by Cynde Randall
Special Thanks to:
Special thanks to The Elizabeth Foundation without whose generous support this would not have been possible.
I gratefully acknowledge the following for the gift of their hearts and hands. They made this work possible:
Eric B. Cabunoc
Aaron Hansen
Eric Ott
Stella Stauffer
Adam Belt
Daniel Lumbreras
Jason Kessel
Dean DeCocker
Ginger Eaton
Cart
Aug 2000
Date: 8/00
Material: pine/fir
Dimensions: 22’x10’x30’
Location: Chaffey College, Rancho Cucamonga,CA
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restEric Cabunoc
Dorian Cobian
Erina Higa
Jason Kessel
Daniel Lumbreras
Stella Stauffer
Virginia Eaton and the staff of The Wignall Museum
N34°08.65’ W117°34.359’
Jun 2000
Date: 6/00
Material: poplar/fir/pine
Dimensions: 19’x38’x48’
Location:
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restEric Cabunoc
Dorian Cobian
Erina Higa
Eric Ott
Jason Kessel
Renee Kieffer
Daniel Lumbreras
Robert Samuel
Stella Stauffer
Michael Thunberg
Lori Tyra
Virginia Eaton and the staff of The Wignall Museum
N42°01.085’ W87°42.651’
May 2000
N42°01.085’
W87°42.651’
Date: 5/00
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 52’x18’x18’
Location: Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, Skokie, IL
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restMike Wurtz
Aaron Hanson
Russell Rathbun
Chel Jones
Brian Huie
N35°15.021’ W117°30.120’
Sep 1999
Date: 9/99
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 22’x28’x32’
Location: Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum, California State University, San Bernardino, CA
Press About the Piece:
Sweeping Beauty
Sunday, October 3, 1999, The Press Enterprise, Los Angles CA.
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank
… Read the restEva Kirsch and the Staff of the Robert V. Fullerton Museum
Bob Rathbun
Richard Rathbun
Matt Rathbun
Betty Rathbun
Virginia Eaton
Paul (The Mayor) Eaton
Eric Cabunoc
N42°16.593’ W85°36.929’
May 1999
Date: 5/99
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 30’x25’x70’
Location: Western Michegan University, Sculpture Tour, Kalamazoo, MI
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restAaron Hanson
Chel Jones
Ian LaBlance
John Running-Johnson
Bill Taylor
Phil Vanderwig
Mike Wurtz
Story About a Boat
Aug 1998
Date: 8/98
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 40’x24’x24’
Location: Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, NY
Press About the Piece:
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for thier invaluable help on this piece
… Read the restKurt Dyrhaug
Aaron Hansen
Chel Jones
Mike Wurtz
John Hock and Franconia Sculpture Park
Kathleen Gilrain and the staff of Socrates Sculpture Park
The Bush foundation for their generous support
Material and Space
Jan 1998
Date: 1/98
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 14’x25’x25’
Location: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restAaron Hansen
Chel Jones
John Hock and Franconia Sculpture Park
N44° 57.429 W93°16.485’
Oct 1997
Date: 10/97Dimensions: 24’x9’x9’
Location: Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN., Jerome Artist Fellowship
Press About the Piece:
College Galleries Showcase Latest Trends
Star Tribune, Friday October 3, 1997
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restAaron Hansen
Thad Dahlberg
Gordon Manery
Russ Rathbun
N45° 22.822’ W92°41.087’
May 1997
Date: 5/97
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 25’x20’x80’
Location: Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer, MN
N44æ 57.053’ W93æ17.308’
Jan 1997
Date: 1/97
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 17’x24’x24’
Location: Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN., Jerome Instalation Art Commission
Press About the Piece:
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the following people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restThad Dahlberg
Gordon Manery
Russ Rathbun
Mike Wurtz
Tim Quady
Aaron Hansen
Sue Kosmalski, Intermedia Arts and The Jerome Foundation
N44° 57.488’ W93°16.353’
Feb 1996
Date: 2/96
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 18’x24’x40’
Location: Mineapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Press About the Piece
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thak the followwing people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restThad Dahlberg
Gordon Manery
Russ Rathbun
Bob Rathbun
Matt Rathbun
Michelle Haunspberger
Mike Wurtz
Corey Barkey
Chris Mayer
Dave Leak
Tim Quady
Stuart Turnquist, Cynde Randall, Evan Mowher, and the Staff of The Minneapolis Instute of Art.
N44°58.961’ W93°14.982’
Oct 1995
Date: 10/95
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 11’x35’x60’
Location: Soap Factory, Noname Exhibitions, Minneapolis, Mn.
Press About the Piece
Artists of the Year, Makers Who Mattered in 1995
City Pages December 27, 1995
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thank the followwing people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restThad Dahlberg
Gordon Manery
Russ Rathbun
John Rassmunson
Michelle Haunspberger
Mike Wurtz
Christy Atkinson
David Gravy
The Staff and volunteers of The Soap Factory and Noname Exhibitions
N44° 55.393’ W93°14.576’
May 1995
N44° 55.393’
W93°14.576’
Date: 5/95
Material: poplar
Dimensions: 9’x15’x35’
Location: Katherine Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.
Press About the Piece
List press here
Special Thanks to:
I would like to thak the followwing people for without whos help this work could not have been accomplished.
… Read the restThad Dahlberg
Russ Rathbun
Mike Wurtz
Pam Wurtz
Bob and Betty Rathbun
Jim Paulson
Guy Baldwin
