Deborah Butterfield

Sculpture

July 2 - August 22, 2026

Opening Reception: “First Thursday,” July 2, 6-8pm

Greg Kucera Gallery presents our 15th exhibition of bronze sculptures by Deborah Butterfield. This new collection features a diverse range of works: delicate pieces composed of branch and leaf shapes; a singular piece including colorful molded found elements, and a large sculpture incorporating thick sticks and muscular chunks of wood — all deceptively cast in bronze.

While pursuing her B.A. and M.F.A. at the University of California, Davis in the 1970s, Deborah Butterfield created horse-hoof vases and glazed ceramic saddles inspired by early Chinese dynasties. These works marked the beginning of a career centered on the horse. By the late 1970s she was constructing horses from mud and sticks, followed by sculptures made from found wood and welded metal. In the late 1980s, she began casting her found-wood sculptures in bronze while continuing to create hand-welded works in steel, copper, and other salvaged metals—a practice she continues today.

Deborah Butterfield with HEART MOUNTAIN

A lifelong equestrian, Butterfield has spent decades living and working alongside horses on her Montana ranch. Her close familiarity with the animals informs every aspect of her work, giving her a nuanced understanding of their physical presence, movement, and individuality. Rather than treating the horse as a symbol, she approaches each as a distinct character, often naming them for horses she's known or for notable horses in the equestrian world.  

Throughout art history, horses have often been depicted in relation to war, hunting, power, or survival. In contrast, Butterfield's sculptures focus on the horse as an individual, often relaxed, presence. Her works capture the quiet dignity, personality, and expressive nature of the animal, offering a contemporary interpretation of one of art history's most enduring subjects.

We invite you to experience Deborah Butterfield's remarkable sculptures in person. Encountering the extraordinary craftsmanship, scale, and quiet power that have distinguished her work for more than four decades cannot be fully conveyed through online photographs.

Work in Exhibition

Email staff@gregkucera.com or call 206-624-0770 to inquire.