John B. Mortensen, b. 1949 / Salt Lake City, Utah (United States)
John B. Mortensen's work is inspired by the wildlife and ranch life in Jackson Hole and the Tetons seen from the back of a horse. From an early age, horses were the focal point of his life. This close relationship with horses shaped his future, showing, training and working on ranches in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Creating artwork to represent this rich life was a natural progression, taking many forms. Bronze is a medium that challenges the artist to breathe life into molten bronze from the crucible at 2,000 degrees. The turn of the head, the flash of an eye, and animated gesture of each figure all contribute to bronze sculpture that brings its subjects to life. "My work, and life, is founded and richened by place, historic and present."
Education
Graduate University of Utah 1971, Bachelor of Arts/Economics, Minor in Fine Art
Commissions
City of Evanston, Wyoming (Life-Size Bison)
Selected Collections
Town of Wilson Centennial / Wilson, Wyoming
Whitney Museum Permanent Collection, Buffalo Bill Historical Center / Cody, Wy
Green Knoll Fire Monument / Teton County, Wyoming
American Legion Post / Jackson, Wyoming
St. John’s Hospital / Jackson, Wyoming
Grand Teton Lodge Company / Moran, Wyoming
Kennecott Corporation / Salt Lake City, Utah
University of Utah, Red Butte Gardens / Salt Lake City, Utah
Westminster College Permanent Art Collection / Salt Lake City, Utah
Ballet West / Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake County Permanent Collection / Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah Council of Volunteers / Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah Endowment for the Arts / Salt Lake City, Utah
Utah Zoological Society (Hogle Zoo 60 Year Anniversary Monument)
Episcopal Dioceses of Utah / Salt Lake City, Utah
Presbyterian Church / Salt Lake City, Utah
Springville Fine Art Museum Permanent Collection / Springville, Utah
Pine Canyon Ranch for Boys / Tooele, Utah
Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival Awards
Selected Clients
Jackson State Bank / Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson Hole Pendleton / Jackson, Wyoming
Intermountain Health Care / Salt Lake City, Utah
Grand Teton Lodge Company / Moran, Wyoming
Gallinger / Trauner Designs / Jackson, Wyoming
Valley Bank & Trust / Salt Lake City, Utah
Friendship Inns International / Salt Lake City, Utah
WLP Corporation / Salt Lake City, Utah
R Lazy S Ranch / Teton Village, Wyoming
McDonalds Restaurant / Jackson, Wyoming
Red’s Ranch / Lamoille, NevadaGrand Teton Music Festival, Teton Village, Wyoming
Kennecott Corporation / Salt Lake City, Utah
DisneyWorld / Orlando, Florida
St. John’s Hospital / Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson Hole One-Fly Fishing Foundation / Jackson, Wyoming
Selected Press
Jackson Hole News & Guide 2016
Cowboys & Indians Magazine
West Magazine
Salt Lake City Tribune
Jackson Hole Magazine
Equine Images Magazine
Cowboys & Country Magazine]
Yippy Yi Yea Western Lifestyles
Publications
Western Art & Architecture 2020
Cowboy High Style / Elizabeth Claire Flood
Cowboy Chic / Chase Reynolds Ewald
Snake River Country / Sid Eliason
Western Design / M.J. Van Deventer
Rustic Artistry for the Home / Ralph Kylloe
Cowboy Style / Chase Reynolds Ewald
Rocky Mountain Home / Elizabeth Claire Flood
Exhibits
Whitney Museum, Buffalo Bill Historical Center / Cody Wyoming
Western Design Conference / Cody, Wyoming
National Museum of Wildlife Art / Jackson, Wyoming
Gilcrease Museum / Art in Miniature Exhibit / Tulsa, Oklahoma
Cody High Style, Buffalo Bill Historical Center / Cody, Wyoming
Kimball Art Center / Park City, Utah
Salt Lake Art Center / Salt Lake City, Utah
Red Butte Gardens / University of Utah / Salt Lake City, Utah
White Grass Ranch / Moose, Wyoming
Jamison Galleries / Santa Fe, New Mexico
Utah Sculpture Invitational / Park City, Utah
Toh-Atin Gallery / Durango & Cortez, Colorado
Ratliff Gallery / Granbury, Texas
Meyer Gallery / Park city, Utah
Tivoli Gallery / Salt Lake City, Utah
Wyoming Galleries / Jackson, Wyoming
Trailside Galleries / Scottsdale, Arizona
Jewett Center for the Arts, Westminster College / Salt Lake City, Utah
Springville Art Museum / Springville, Utah
Affiliations
Jackson Hole One-Fly Foundation / Chairman of Board, Retired
Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum / Past President of Board, Retired
Westminster College, Salt Lake City / Past Member Board of Trustees
Founding Member Salt Lake County Art Advisory Board
Kimball Art Center, Park City, Utah / Past President of Board
Founding Member / Utah Council of Volunteers
Western Design Conference / Past Board Member
Utah Advertising Federation – Past Board Member
Salt Lake City Art / Festival Past Board Member