Dudley C. Carter Explained

Dudley C. Carter
Birth Name:Dudley Christopher Carter
Birth Date:May 6, 1891
Birth Place:New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Death Place:Redmond, Washington, U.S.
Burial Place:Hatzic Cemetery, Hatzic, British Columbia, Canada
Other Names:Dudley Carter
Occupation:Artist, sculptor, woodcarver
Spouse:Teresa Williams Easthope (married in 1919)
Children:1

Dudley Christopher Carter (May 6, 1891 – April 7, 1992) was an artist and woodcarver from the Pacific Northwest. His works are on display in the U.S. states of Washington, Oregon and California. There are also works of his on display in Japan and Germany, as well as a private collection in Israel

Carter was a participant in the "Art in Action" program during the 1940 season of the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE). He was also the first King County, Washington Parks and Recreation artist-in-residence when he was 96 years old.

Early life

Carter was born to a pioneer family of Scottish-descent on May 6, 1891, in New Westminster, Canada.[1] His father was originally from Barbados, and his mother was from Quebec; they came west in 1891, shortly before Dudley was born.[2] He was a timber cruiser and forest engineer most of his life, exploring and mapping Pacific Northwest wilderness. The chief inspiration for Carter's art was his childhood among the Kwakiutl and Tlingit indigenous people. He moved to Washington state in 1928.

Diego Rivera and City College of San Francisco

Carter was a participant during 1940, in the "Art in Action" exhibitions during the 1939–1940 Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) on Treasure Island. During that time he became a friend of Diego Rivera, who included Carter three separate times in his mural Marriage of the Artistic Expression of the North and of the South on this Continent and once in the Pan American Unity mural. Rivera said the following about Carter:[3]

There are three works by Carter on the City College of San Francisco Ocean Campus, The Ram (sometimes called the Mountain Ram), Goddess of the Forest, and The Beast.[4] Dudley had donated The Ram because he knew it was the school mascot and it had been part of the Golden Gate International Exposition's Arts in Action exhibition. The Ram sculpture stood outside on the campus periodically changing locations from time to time, students would coat it in paint with campus colors red and white. Sometimes rival schools would repaint The Ram in their own school colors. By 1980, The Ram had many layers of paint and damage and in spring of 1983 it was restored by Carter with use of a pick axe and its original, natural redwood. Currently located in the lobby of Conlan Hall, on the Ocean Campus.

The Goddess of the Forest is another redwood sculpture created during GGIE. It is very large, standing at 26 feet tall, and had a girth at the base of 21 feet. For years this piece was located at Golden Gate Park, until 1986, when it began to show distress and decay. It was then moved to CCSF, to an indoor location awaiting restoration.

Clackamas

In 1979, at the age of eighty-eight, Carter was commissioned to carve three large cedars for the Clackamas Town Center shopping mall, located in the southeastern part of the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon. The trees selected for the project came from Mount St. Helens six months before the volcanic eruption of 1980 that eliminated much of the forest. Carter lived in a small trailer on the shopping center's construction site while carving the trees. In 1981, the sculptures were moved into the central court next to a skating rink, where they remained until a major remodel of the center in 2004. The next year they were transferred to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum.[5]

Influence in Washington state

When ninety-six years old, Carter became the first artist-in-residence of the King County Parks and Recreation Department.[6]

He had a home at 7447 159th Place NE, Redmond, Washington. Located in Slough House Park, the house was named "Haida House Studio".

After a brief illness the artist died in his sleep at the Slough House residence, just a month short of his 101st birthday on April 7, 1992. He is buried near Stave Falls, B.C. Slough House is now owned by the city of Redmond.[7] The artist bequest included his art studio, fashioned in the manner of a native Haida dwelling, and a group of monumental wood sculptures of the sort that brought the sculptor to international prominence.

Upon his death, Congressman Rod Chandler honored Carter with remarks in the Congressional Record in 1992.[8]

Personal life

Carter was married to Teresa Williams Carter (née Easthope) in December 20, 1919 in Vancouver, British Columbia.[9] [10] Together they had a daughter named Mavis Anne.[11] Their marriage ended when Teresa Carter died on July 20, 1975, at age 81 in West Vancouver.[12]

Public works

Works by Carter!Year!Title!Image!Location!Notes
Owl PostPet Cemetery in Marymoor Park, Redmond, WA
1932Rivalry of the WindsRedmond Library, Redmond, WashingtonCarved from red cedar. Purchased by the founders of the Seattle Art Museum in 1932 for display in the new museum, later placed outdoors in Volunteer Park, restored and eventually loaned to the Redmond Public Library. [13]
1935Wek'-Wek and the HolukmeyumkoPet Cemetery in Marymoor Park, Redmond, WACarved from redwood as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE). Donated by Marvin Boys to King County Parks' collection. Currently labeled as translation "Wek'-Wek and the Falcon Man".
1935CondorMarymoor Park, Redmond, WA
1939Big Horn RamCity College of San Francisco, Conlan Hall, San Francisco, CaliforniaCarved from redwood as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) and current serves as mascot for City College of San Francisco.
1940Goddess of the ForestCity College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CaliforniaCarved as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE), standing at 26 feet tall, and had a girth at the base of 21 feet. This lived in Golden Gate Park for many years prior.
1947Forest DeityBellevue Square Shopping Center, Bellevue, Washington[14] [15]
1947Bird WomanRedmond Library, Redmond, WashingtonCarved from red cedar. Purchased by the Long Family and on long-term loan to the Redmond Library.
1949Lake Wilderness TotemLake Wilderness Lodge, Maple Valley, WashingtonIn 1951, Carter designed and carved the central column of the Gaffney's Lodge, now Lake Wilderness Lodge, in Maple Valley, Washington.[16]
1953Northgate TotemSuquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, Kitsap County, WashingtonA totem pole originally located at the entrance to Northgate Shopping Center, Seattle. Removed from the mall in 2007; extensively restored by the Washington Suquamish tribe and placed on the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort grounds in February 2008.[17]
1954Old Man House Interpretive CenterOld Man House State Park, Suquamish, WADesigned and constructed by Dudley to mark a site used by the Suquamish tribe for some 2000 years.
1958Big Horn HeadBellevue Public Library, Bellevue WA
c.1960Faith, Hope, and LoveBayview Retirement Community, 11 W. Aloha, Queen AnneThree different works on the entrance wall.
1961Chief Spokane GarrySt. Dunstan's Church of the Highlands Parish, Shoreline, Washington[18]
1960Desert ScoutRedmond Library, Redmond, WashingtonCarved from redwood at Earl Neel's nursery, Palm Springs, CA. Purchased in 1975 by Allied Stores, acquired in 1995 by Marvin Boys.[19]
1960Seagull On A PostDudley Carter Park, Redmond, Washington"Seagull in flight, high atop an upended driftwood log, purchased originally by Boeing executive, Wellwood Beall. Mrs. Beall thought it was out of scale in the swimming pool area of their home where her husband had had it installed. She insisted it "has to go!" So Wellwood sold it to his friend Don McAusland who thought it would be an ideal addition to the landscaping of his downtown Bellevue building. When Mr. McAusland died, his family donated the work to the city of Redmond for installation in Dudley Carter Park." -- Lyn Fleury Lambert, Dudley Carter's secretary and chronicler.[20]
1962High Mountain CompanionsDudley Carter Park, Redmond, WashingtonCarved from redwood at Earl Neel's nursery in Palm Springs, CA. Loaned by Marvin Boys.
1974Birds and WaterfallRedmond Library, Redmond, WashingtonCarved from redwood. Donated by Marvin Boys to Redmond Public Library.
1975Two ThunderbirdsMarymoor Park, Redmond, WA
1976Indian Woman Weaving BasketYakima Valley College, Yakima, Washington[21]
1977The Legend of the MoonKing County's Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington
1979Fawn and BirdRedmond Library, Redmond, WashingtonCarved from red cedar at Gibsons, BC. Donated by 'Lyn Lambert to Redmond Public Library.
1980Mythical BirdPioneer Park, Mercer Island, WashingtonCarved from yellow cedar at Gibsons, BC.
1982Legends of the Deep #2Northwest Arts Center, 9825 Northeast 24th Street, Bellevue, WashingtonDonated to the City of Bellevue by Marvin Boys.
1983The BeastCity College of San Francisco, San Francisco, California
1984Menace de ModernismeNorth Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave NE, Bellevue, Washington, USADonated to the City of Bellevue by Marvin Boys.
1987Seeds of EnchantmentRedmond Library, Redmond, WashingtonMade of red cedar. Sold to Penny Rediger, later to 'Lyn Lambert, loaned to Redmond Public Library.
1987Adventures in Western WatersNorthwest Hospital, 1550 North 115th Street, Seattle, Washington
1984Hatching BirdNorth Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave NE, Bellevue, Washington, USADonated to the City of Bellevue by Marvin Boys.
1989Fantail BirdRedmond Senior Center, Redmond, WashingtonThe Redmond Senior Center was closed in 2019 for renovations.[22] [23]
1989Three Panel AbstractionLuke McRedmond Landing Park, Redmond, Washington"When many in the art community began exploring abstraction and other forms of modern art, Carter ventured there too. Three Panel Abstraction, installed at Luke McRedmond Landoning on the shores of the Sammamish River is one such example. A typical Carter owl roots comfortably on the left panel while a raven head is carved into the right panel. The geometry of both figures as well as the plant form carved into the center panel has been accentuated." -- Lyn Fleury Lambert, Dudley Carter's secretary and chronicler.[24]
1990WindsongMedina Park, Medina, WashingtonMade of red cedar.
1991Celestial AdventureLast seen near the Shilshole Bay Beach Club, Ballard, Washington[25]

Further reading

Book: Lambert, 'Lyn Fleury. Dudley Carter: Tales of the Legendary Wood Sculptor. Sikkema. H. Mary. NW Wood Words. 2020. 978-1734500608.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Artists in Canada, Carter, Dudley Christopher. 2020-12-03. Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada. en. Birth, 1891-05-06, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
  2. Web site: Dudley Carter, 100, An Artist With Wood Who Lived Simple Life. April 9, 1992. September 26, 2014. The Seattle Times. The Seattle Times. Tarzan Ament. Deloris. Long. Katherine.
  3. http://www.riveramural.org/article.asp?section=mural&key=1000&language=english Theme
  4. Schniewind. Arno P.. Baird. Roger. Kronkright. Dale P.. 1996. Rescuing Dudley Carter's Goddess of the Forest. WAG Postprints. Wooden Artifacts Group (WAG) of the American Institute for Conservation. December 3, 2020.
  5. Web site: West. Robert D.. Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum in Stevenson, Washington. April 25, 2016.
  6. Web site: Looking Ahead, Looking Back. December 19, 2008. September 26, 2014. King County Archives. King County.
  7. Web site: Dudley Carter, will Redmond's Most Famous Artist Have a Park to Call Home?. 2007. September 26, 2014. Redmond Historical Society. Redmond Historical Society. Lambert. Lyn Fleury.
  8. Web site: Congressional Record 102nd Congress (1991-1992) In Remembrance of Dudley Carter. https://archive.today/20120718055712/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r102:E09AP2-526:. dead. July 18, 2012. April 9, 1992. September 26, 2014. The Library of Congress, Thomas Home. The Library of Congress. Rod. Chandler.
  9. Web site: 26 December 1919. Carter–Easthope Marriage. subscription. 2020-12-03. Newspapers.com. The Province of Vancouver. 8. en.
  10. Web site: 1940. 1940 United States Federal Census, Dudley Carter. subscription. 2020-12-03. Ancestry. National Archives and Records Administration. en.
  11. Web site: March 8, 2016. Mavis Vaughan Obituary. 2020-12-03. Legacy.com. The Vancouver Sun. en.
  12. Web site: July 21, 1975. Obituary, Carter. subscription. 2020-12-03. Newspapers.com. The Vancouver Sun. 30. en.
  13. Web site: Rivalry of the Winds. 2020-12-03. Seattle Art Museum. en.
  14. Web site: 2000. Bellevue's Pacific Northwest Arts Fair begins in 1947. 2020-12-03. Historylink.org.
  15. Web site: Dudley Carter: An Unusual and Forgotten Artist. 2020-12-03. Eastside Heritage Center. en-US.
  16. Web site: King County Archives. Lake Wilderness Lodge: Mid-Century Modern, Pacific Northwest Style. March 18, 2017. March 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170319022442/https://bytesandboxes.org/2016/10/17/lake-wilderness-lodge-mid-century-modern-pacific-northwest-style/. bot: unknown.
  17. Web site: February 20, 2008. Northgate Mall Totem Pole Restored to its Original Glory. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120301192823/http://blog.kitsapimages.com/2008/02/i-spent-most-of-today-watching.html. March 1, 2012. September 26, 2014. Kitsap and Beyond.
  18. Web site: St. Dunstan's Church of the Highlands Parish. 2020-12-03. The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts (ECVA).
  19. Book: Lambert . 'Lyn Fleury . Sikkema . H.Mary . Dudley Carter: Tales of the Legendary Wood Sculptor . August 30, 2020 . NW Wood Words LLC . 978-1734500615 . 312.
  20. Web site: Seagull On A Post. 2023-03-25. storyguide.
  21. Web site: Indian Woman Weaving Basket, 1976. 2020-12-03. Washington State Arts Commission, ArtsWA. en-US.
  22. Web site: Dudley Carter Park. 2020-12-03. Experience Redmond. en-US.
  23. News: Cornwell. Paige. December 16, 2019. After senior center closed because of mold, Redmond is without its ‘nice gathering place’. Seattle Times.
  24. Web site: Three Panel Abstraction. stqry guide.
  25. Web site: An artist's last work has resting place at Shilshole. crosscut.com.