David Gaut is a self-taught abstract sculptor, living in the Pacific Northwest. Originally from Sacramento, CA, Gaut moved to the region to accept a position with prominent PNW sculptor, Julie Speidel in her Vashon Island studio as a fabricator and apprentice. Gaut’s father also worked for Speidel for several years as had his uncle. “I guess artistry kind of runs in the blood.” So it seemed natural that the younger Gaut would follow the family’s longtime collaborative association with artist, Speidel.
Keenly observing her aesthetic, determination, and inspiration, David Gaut worked in this apprenticeship with Ms. Speidel for ten years up until her retirement in 2019. Not having had any formal art training, he credits her with teaching him much about the process of sculpture fabrication in metal and wood. Gaut’s sculptures don’t employ the method of traditional bronze casting and the lost wax process, instead the metal and/or rare woods are cut, shaped, welded, polished, patinated, all by hand using a variety of tools.
Like many artists who preceded him, including the legendary figures – Mark Tobey, Morris Graves, Paul Callahan, Guy Anderson, and many others – Gaut has found much inspiration in the mystical beauty of the Pacific Northwest. It’s transcendent nature – mountains, forests, and waters – for centuries sustained the indigenous “first people”, inspired spiritual journeys of Buddhist monks, fascinated the European Surrealists, and now once again find form in the compelling work of this young emerging talent.
“Honing my skills over a decade while under the guidance of world renowned sculptor Julie Speidel, has led to the discernment that quality of the piece is instrumental to understanding the artists intention with the concept. Naturally my constructs use well-polished stone, fine finished wood, and smooth precious metal to portray the quality of the thought and understanding of the idea behind them.”
Gaut’s sculptures are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces and perfectly suited for indoor or outdoor environments. Most of the maquette-scale works can also be enlarged for large-scale special commissions or site-specific placement. His monumental sculpture, “Ros Stilla”, 2019 – standing 84” high – was recently installed at the Point Ruston development on the Tacoma, WA waterfront.
Frederick Holmes And Company is proud to now represent David Gaut, who we feel has an incredible vision and which we’re now pleased to offer our collectors, both regionally and nationwide.
David Gaut lives and maintains his studio on Vashon Island, WA with his wife, Connie and son, Soryn.
