cultural district

Bear

Brower Hatcher, Sculptor

Brower Hatcher is a sculptor who was born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA but who went on to study at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering in Nashville, TN before receiving a degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in New York. Following that, Hatcher went on to study at St. Martins School of Art in London, U.K. and after spending a number of years as a faculty member at St. Martins returned to the USA where he has spent the last few decades completing over 50 public art pieces which are on display throughout North America, including his Bear sculpture here in Kelowna.

characteristics

powder coated stainless steel, brass hardware, bronze, glass, and found objects

Commissioned by City of Kelowna
Installed in Stuart Park adjacent to the Cultural District

Bear Man Sculpture | Photo copyright (c) 2021 Miles Overn Photography

The work was commissioned by the City of Kelowna to serve as the centerpiece of the newly developed Stuart Park. The park itself was constructed to mark the 100th anniversary of the city.

Bear Sculpture | Photo copyright (c) 2021 Miles Overn Photography

A competition was launched in 2003 for the design and installation of public art to be installed in the park upon its completion. Submissions were received from artists around the globe, with Hatcher's "Bear" ultimately being selected by the panel charged with choosing from among the concepts delivered.. Stuart Park lies between Water St, which is adjacent to the cultural district, and Okanagan Lake. The piece was installed in 2010.

His work online - A selection of Hatcher's work can be found online at midoceanstudio.com.

Bear Sculpture in Kelowna | Photo copyright (c) 2021 Miles Overn Photography

The Meaning of the Piece

The piece is of a grizzly bear, with the name of the city, Kelowna, being an English translation of the Okanagan / Syilx First Nation word for the animal. The frame itself, in the shape of a grizzly bear, being see-through in design, communicates the artist's view of the interconnectedness of peoples and things.

Within the interior of the sculpture are a variety of pieces that represent periods from the history of the city as well as artifacts from both traditional peoples and items from more current times.

Other Cultural District Pieces

Rhapsody: Robert Dow Reid, 1993
I Had a Dream: Zhao Lei, 2002
On the Beach: Geert Maas, 2002
Bear: Brower Hatchet, 2010
Running Man: Marion-Lea Jamieson, 2002
Flexible Curves: Tommie Gallie, 1986
Spirit of Kelowna: Geert Maas, 2008
Sentinel: Dawn MacNutt, 2002
Okanagan Sunflowers: Jo Scott-B, 2002
Circle of Friendship: Geert Maas, 1997
W.A.C Bennett Memorial Courtyard & Clock Tower: Hartley & Turik Architects, 1981
Military Museum Murals: Larry Hunter, Michelle Loughery, 2002-2013
Natural Language: Jennifer Macklem, Kip Jones, 2000
The Valley: Ron Hart, Michael Fugeta, 2017
Fruit Stand: Glen Andersen, T.S. Thomas, 2002
Concept to Creation: Diane Gorvin, Philip Bews, Jonathan Yeltatzie, 2002
Skagway: Robert Murray, 1976-1977
Elemental: Crystal Przybille, 2000
The Conductor: Ken Curley, 2012

Bear Sculpture
Stuart Park
49.888081 -119.497269