(Washington, D.C., born 1943)

Portlandia, 1986-87, the sole artist's proof, signed "R. J. Kaskey" and inscribed "MC 1", patinated bronze, with stained black wood base, 49 x 30 x 22 in.

Provenance: The Studio Collection of Ray Kaskey, Brentwood, Maryland; Brunk Auctions, Modern + Contemporary + Design | October 13, 2022, lot 63; Private Collection

Note: Raymond Kaskey is an American sculptor most well-known for his works of monumental and memorial sculpture. He studied architecture at Carnegie Mellon University and Yale University, and in 1983 established Kaskey Studio. Throughout his career as an artist, Kaskey has received numerous commissions to create public art for civic buildings and memorials across the country, including the architectural sculptures for the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and Portlandia for the Portland Public Services Building in Portland, Oregon.

At 38 feet tall, Portlandia (1985) is the second largest hammered copper sculpture in the United States, surpassed only by the Statue of Liberty. The sculpture is based on the female figure representing commerce featured on the Portland City Seal. She sits atop the second floor platform of the Public Services Building. Kaskey began work on the sculpture after winning a 1982 competition hosted by Portland's Metropolitan Arts Commission. The completion and installation of the sculpture was a long and arduous process which was finally completed after three years of work, marking the success of one of Kaskey's most prolific commissions in his career. Presented here is the only artist's proof of this monumental sculpture to come to market..