Client: CenterCal Properties

Overview

This is a life-size juvenile mastodon, just like the one that would have existed within the area of Tualatin, OR where the bones were found. It is made of bronze and has gentle pose as it displays the look as if going for a drink of water. Standing next to the mastodon is the figure in bronze of a young, shovel-wielding explorer. This boy captures that same nature/spirit of adventure and imagination that made it possible to find and unearth the mastodon bones in the Tualatin Valley.

Goals

Fred Bruning commissioned me to craft a realistic portrayal of the prehistoric mastodon, which has evolved into a symbol for the city since the discovery of its bones in 1962. Opting for a more youthful representation of the early elephant relative, we aimed to avoid intimidating children.
To enhance the mastodon's relatability and appeal to younger audiences, the bronze display features a contemplative yet awestruck boy. The concept behind this addition is to convey the child's curiosity about what it might be like to live in prehistory. This thoughtful design choice was made to engage and captivate shoppers, particularly the younger demographic, creating a connection between the ancient creature and the present-day community.

Process

The tale unfolds with a young boy named John George, affectionately known as "Bobby." His curiosity was piqued when he discovered a mastodon tooth being used as a doorstop, igniting a spark that would later lead him to unearth Mastodon bones in Tualatin for a geology class at Portland State University during the 1960s. Starting as a shapeless lump of clay, the mastodon gradually took form over approximately six months.
A diverse team, including scientists and paleontologists from Spain, a 3D designer from Taiwan, and invaluable fauna advisors from Tualatin and across Oregon, contributed their expertise to ensure accurate representation of the ancient creature's shape and size. Upon completion of the clay sculpture, collaboration with a renowned mold maker ensued, who crafted molds for the bronze casting phase. The final transformation took place at Artworks Foundry in Berkeley, California, where a dedicated team of master artisans spent over four months casting the sculpture into bronze. The result: a magnificent 7.5-foot-tall, 56-inch-wide, 14-foot-long mastodon weighing over 2500 pounds. This ambitious project was conceived by the visionary Fred Bruning.