Biography from Altermann Galleries and Auctioneers, Santa Fe - II:
| “The Cowboy’s National Sculptor” who also models wildlife, men of
American history, and Blackfeet, was born in Browning, Montana in
1914. “The thing that is unique about typical Western art,” he
observed, “is its story-telling quality. I n other words, the story it
tells is of more importance than design, composition, etc.”
“The important stages of my life,” he added, “have involved music,
teaching, taxidermy, and finally the warm feel of clay in my
hands.” After earning his Bachelor of Music degree in 1935,
Schriver taught in Browning public schools until 1940 when he returned
to college for his Master’s Degree.
During World War II, he played cornet in the Air Force Band and then
went back to teaching. He was also a member of orchestras
including Ted Weem’s.
The taxidermy career began in 1951. In 1953, he built a shop for
taxidermy, and for the casting of miniature animal figurines he
modeled, becoming the best-known taxidermist in Montana, especially for
big game.
By 1956, he was established in his new career as a sculptor, starting a
series of wildlife bronzes. He cast sixteen models in 1962, had a
one-person show, was a charter member of the Society of Animal Artists,
and had arrived as a professional artist.
He has since exhibited at the National Academy of Design and in China,
has been featured in American Artist and Art West, has been
commissioned to model major statues, has been included in famous
Western collections, is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, and is a
member of the National Sculpture Society, the Cowboy Artists of
America, and the National Academy of Western Art.
Resource:
Contemporary Western Artists, by Peggy and Harold Samuels 1982, Judd’s Inc., Washington, D.C.
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Biography from Thomas Nygard Gallery:
| A
Montana native, Bob Scriver is a world-famous sculptor whose works
depict scenes of the American West through his sculpted human figures
and detailed animal bronzes. Commissions have included a statue of
Charlie Russell, a piece for the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and several works
of Lewis and Clark.
Scriver was born in Browning, Montana in the
heart of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in 1914. He taught music
until 1951 when he earned his master's degree at The Vandercook School
of Music. Dissatisfied he decided to try something else, even though he
was listed in "Who's Who in Music".
He became a taxidermist and
created his own mounts. In 1956 he established his own Museum of
Montana Wildlife including a gallery for his clay sculptures and
dioramas. Finally, in 1956 he had his work cast in bronze for
exhibition nationally and in Europe. In 1967 he discontinued taxidermy
and decided to pursue his sculpting full-time.
Scriver was
greatly influenced by figure sculptor Malvina Hoffman. Like her, he
familiarized himself with the cire perdue casting process. He would
later create his own Bighorn Foundry using this process.
His
rural upbringing in cowboy and Blackfeet Indian country influenceed his
life and inspired his work. This area, adjacent to Glacier National
Park, epitomizes the rugged individual idealism which came to
characterize the West. Scriver once said, "All my friends are either
cowboys or Indians, I don't know about any other kind of people." Bob
Scriver remained in Browning until he passed away.
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Biography from AskART:
| A sculptor who carried on the realistic, storytelling tradition of
Frederic Remington and Charles Russell, Bob Scriver was born on the
Blackfoot reservation in Montana. Many of his life-long companions were
from that tribe, and many of his works captured the frenzied action of
cowboys and Indians and the animals they either rode or chased.
His
education began in Browning, Montana and he ultimately earned a
Master's Degree in Music and then taught public school in Browning and
Malta. He also played in professional bands across the Northwest and
Canada before turning to taxidermy in 1951. He used those skills in his
job of developing the Museum of Montana Wildlife in Browning.
He
also created a large sculpture of Charles Russell, hoping it would be
accepted for the Statuary Hall in Washington. Although it was rejected,
his sculpting career took off, and he received much recognition
including membership in the Cowboy Artists of America and the National
Academy of Western Art.
He did several series of sculptures
including 33 works of the Rodeo and 53 pieces tracing the history of
the Blackfeet Indians. He was a collector of so much cowboy and
Indian memorabilia that after his death on January 29, 1999, several
auctions of these items were held.
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The following is from Mary Scriver, former wife of the artist:
A CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF HONORS, MEMBERSHIPS AND SHOWS FOR BOB SCRIVER.
1961 Invited to become charter member Society of Animal Artists.
1964 Audubon Artists: "Lone Cowboy."
National Academy of Design "Fighting Elk."
Academic Artists (Springfield, MA) "The Last Warrior."
Article in La Revue Moderne in Paris.
Story by Mary Strachan in American Artist magazine.
"Fighting Elk" sold through Grand Central Galleries, who invite Bob to
join the co-op gallery.
1965 Elected to membership in Salmagundi Club.
Joined International Art Guild.
Audubon Artists exhibited "Boss of the Trail Herd."
Glenbow Foundation, Calgary, AL, purchased for their permanent
collection "No More Buffalo," "Transition," "Ovis Dalli," and
"Boss of the Trail Herd."
Picture story in True Magazine.
Appeared on To Tell the Truth television game show in New York City.
1966: Voted membership in National Sculpture Society. Sponsors were Malvina Hoffman and Joy Buba.
1967: Joined Cowboy Artists of America.
Heroic-sized portrait of Bill Linderman for the National Cowboy Hall of
Fame.
Exhibited "Buffalo Runner with Cow and Calf" with International Art
Guild in Palais de la Scala, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Listed in "Who's Who in the West" (Marquis), International Directory of
the Arts, and National Register of Prominent Americans.
1968 One-man show at Gallery '85 in Billings, MT.
One -man show at the Montana Historical Society.
1969 Whitney Gallery of Western art bought for permanent collection
"Opening of the Sacred Medicine Pipe Bundle," "Return of the Blackfeeet
Raiders," "Whitetail Buck," and "Into the Wind."
"Buffalo Runner with Cow and Calf" took first place Gold Medal and
purchase prize at the annual Cowboy Artists of America show at
the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center.
1970 Gold Medal from the Cowboy Artists of America show for "An Honest Try."
1971 June 29: Cowboy Artists of America Gold Medal purchase prize for
"Paywindow."
Distinguished VIP award from Radio Station KSEN in Shelby.
1972 Silver medal for "Not for Glory" at Cowboy Artists of America show.
Award for Outstanding Achievement to the Community and State by
"Personalities of the West and Midwest"
Bob Scriver Day in Montana, proclaimed by Governor Forrest H. Anderson.
One man show of 32 rodeo pieces at Montana Historical Society.
1973 Included in International Biographies of the World, 1973 edition.
Participated in the show of the Academy of Western Art at the Cowboy
Hall of Fame.
"Layin' the Trap" won Silver Medal with the Cowboy Artists of America.
Museum of Montana Wildlife listed in the Museum Directory, World
Edition.
Elected Academician to the National Academy of Western Art.
Sold the 33 pieces of the "Rodeo in Bronze" series to Riveredge
Foundation (formerly Harvie) in Calgary, Alberta, for more than a
quarter of a million dollars.
Honored guest at the Allied Art Center in Calgary Art Center, featuring
the 33 piece rodeo series.
One-man show of the rodeo series at the Calgary Stampede and guest of
the Stampede.
Received World Championship buckle from the Rodeo Cowboy Association as
the Cowboy's National Sculptor. The first and only buckle presented to an artist.
1974 Honored guest artist at the Rendezvous of Art at the Montana Historical
Society. .
1975 June 21: Grand Parade Marshall at Reno rodeo. Rode the grand entry float with many of Rodeo's greatest cowboys.
One man show of the Rodeo Series at Security National Bank in Reno.
"Paywindow" and "Layin' the Trap" displayed at the opening of the Kentucky Derby.
Included in National Sculpture Society traveling show: Bronzes of the American West.
Bronzes of the American West by Patricia Broder includes "An Honest Try."
Photo of "Opening of the Sacred Pipe Bundle" is included in a National
Geographic Society book.
Honored by Rodeo Cowboy Association for Rodeo Series and book with a
lifetime gold membership card.
1976 Jan. Rodeo series showing at the Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco.
Included in National Geographic Society's Bicentennial book.
Included in exhibit of bronzes called "The West Returns" at the Grand
Central Gallery, New York.
March 18: "National Finals" takes Best of Show at the C.M. Russell
exhibit.
April: Diploma d'Honneur from the International Arts Guild, Monte Carlo.
May 2: Honorary Doctor of Art from Carroll College in Helena, Montana.
June 13: Fort Benton Bicentennial and "Lewis and Clark and Sacajawea
statue dedication.
Silver Medal for "Buffalo Bill" half-life-sized at Cowboy Artists of
America.
Honored by presentation of gold cuff links from the Lethbridge, AL,
Chamber of Commerce as an international good will gesture.
1977 March 19: "The Explorers at the Marias" takes best of show at the C.M.
Russell exhibit.
Interviewed and featured in the first edition of Art West magazine.
Proclaimed America's Leading Western Artist in All Media by the Old West
Trail Foundation. Given "William F. Cody Award."
Dedication of Colonel Harvie bust in Calgary.
1978 "Original Art Achievement Award" at the CM Russell Auction from the AD
Club.
Sixteenth edition of Marquis "Who's Who in the West."
In "Show of Hands," documentary of Montana artists by Les Kramer.
Gold Medal at Cowboy Artists of America for "Grandfather Tells of the Horse."
National Register of Prominent Americans.
1979 Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame at Colorado Springs, CO buys part of the Rodeo Series.
Invited to exhibit in "America at the Salon des Independants" by The
Societe des Artistes Independants at the Grand Palais in Paris, France.
1980
Aug. 22: "Award of Meritorious Achievement for Outstanding
Contributions in Bringing this Nation a Great Awareness and
Appreciation of
the Lewis & Clark Expedition" from The Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, Inc.
1981 Jan 14: Selected as one of 22 finalists for the Gallery of Outstanding
Montanans Project by the Montana Arts Council.
August: The Indian collection premieres at C.M. Russell Museum.
November: Indian collection is showing at Museum of the Rockies in
Bozeman.
1983 Jan 14: "No More Buffalo" collection is in Denver Museum of Natural
History.
Dec. 29: Named to board of C.M. Russell Museum.
1984 Jan 1: One man show at Cowboy Artists of America.
March 25: Russell Auction: Bob does Baucus at the Quick Draw.
1985 Feb. 1: Western bronzes in Montana Historical Society show, Bob included.
January: One and a half life-size "An Honest Try" dedicated.
Nov. 17: Amy Grant NBC Christmas show -- "Headin' Home for the
Holidays."
1988 "No More Buffalo" accepted to 55th Annual Exhibition of the National
Sculpture Society.
1989 March: Featured at Native American Art Association exhibit.
July 4: Dedication of "Lewis, Clark, York and the dog Seaman at the
Portage" in Great Falls.
Feb. 3: "Boots, Bow Ties and Bob" celebration of Governor's Award for
Distinguished Achievement in the arts at the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls.
Bob Scriver published three photo books about his work:
"An Honest Try," about the rodeo pieces.
"No More Buffalo" about the Indian pieces.
"Blackfeet: Artists of the Northern Plains" which records his
collections of artifacts.
The first two books are available from the Montana Historical Society. Bob
Scriver's estate, including all the artist's copies of the bronzes, were
given to the Montana Historical Society by the widow, Lorraine Scriver.
PERIODICAL REFERENCES
“Bob Scriver, Western Sculptor” by Mary Strachan. P. 50 in
American Artist, Vol. 28, Number 7, Issue 277 (Sept. 1964)
“Scriver Models Gift of Actor George Montgomery. The Montana
Post, Official Newsletter of the Montana Historical Society. Vol 3,
#2 (Feb. 1965)
“To Keep the Vanishing West” produced by Pat Graves. True, the
Man’s Magazine. Photos by Erwin Bauer. Pp. 48 -
51 December 1985.
“Bob Scriver” La Revue Moderne. P. 19-20. 1 Janvier 1965. In French.
“National Wildlife Revisits the Society of Animal Artists.” pp.
21 -27. National Wildlife. (Vol. 6, #2.) Feb/March,
1968
“Cowboy Artists of America” (overview and then individual
stories.) Southwestern Art Scene. Pp. 24 - 45 (Vol 1, #7,
March, 1968)
“Scriver’s Linderman Statue” by Anon. pp. 48 -125-126 The Western Horseman, (Vol. XXXIII. #4) April, 1968
“He Knows his Subject” by Mary Scriver. pp. 84 -87 Montana Arts,
publication of the Montana Institute of the Arts (Vol 21, #3)
“Scriver Show Opens” The Montana Post, Official Newsletter of the
Montana Historical Society, (Vol. 10, #3.) Aug/Sept. 1972
“Should They Build a Fence around Montana?” by Mike Edwards. pp.
614-657 National Geographic. (Vol 149, #5) May 1976.
“The Artistic Stature of Bob Scriver” by Dale Burk. Art West. pp. 50 -55 Summer, 1977.
“Bob Scriver and the Blackfeet Indians” by Bob Scriver and Bert
Gildart. (A redaction of his book “No More Buffalo.”) pp 6
-11 Montana Magazine, Holiday Issue, 1982.
“Creation: Robert Macfie Scriver and the Blackfeet Epic” by Robert C.
Gildart. Southwest Art. (Another redaction of “No More
Buffalo.”) pp. 70-81 July, 1983.
“Robert Macfie Scriver: Artist, Writer, Historian” by Betty Harvey.
pp. 90 - 93. Western Art Digest. (Vol XIV, Issue 1) Jan/Feb. 1987.
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The following is from Brousseau Bronze Works:
Bob Scriver was an elected member in both the Cowboy Artists of America
organization
and the National Academy of Western Art. He was a member of the
Salmagundi Club and was accepted for membership in the National
Sculpture Society.
Scriver created heroic sculptures in
Montana of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, and in Wyoming of the
legendary Buffalo Bill. His Cowboy works include a heroic work of
Bill Linderman at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma and his "Rodeo In
Bronze: series, one of four belonging to the Devonian Institute in
Canada.
Scriver was commissioned to do such pieces as a "Montana Trapper" and
belt buckle for the Montana Historical Society to help raise funds to
purchase the C.M. Russell painting, "When the Land Belonged to God"
which raised $96,000.00.
In 1981, for the Winchester Arms Company, he was also commissioned to
do a famous logo called, "The Winchester Rider". This set a new
record for contemporary sculptors with gross sales totaling over one
million dollars. This edition of 250 was completely sold out in 30 days
from the time of National advertising.
Scriver's art depicts a
sense of freedom that has been lost by the Indian and is seemingly
being lost by the cowboy. The Late Dr. Harold McCracken, Director
Emeritus of the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, was quoted in the
forward of Scriver's book NO MORE BUFFALO as calling Scriver:
"America's foremost sculptor today-bar none".
Scriver died January 29,1999. He has left behind him stories, and dreams of the West....in bronze.
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