David Hostetler

Hostetler died from complications of emergency gallbladder surgery on November 18, 2015.

The Sheffield, at 322 West 57th Street, New York City commissioned The IKON, a 13 foot tall white bronze. It is sited in a pocket park in front of the entrance to the building. It was dedicated in 2012.

His art career spanned more than 60 years, progressing from folk images to stylized forms and including guest teaching and lecturing throughout the United States and Mexico. Hostetler retired as a full professor of sculpture from Ohio University in 1985 where he was named Professor Emeritus. Some of his students who have gone on to fame include Jim Dine, whose work has been collected and exhibited internationally since 1960; David True, an artist who has exhibited at the Whitney Biennial and who now teaches at Columbia University; Harvey Breverman, a well-known painter and printmaker; Glenn Randall, a leader in the field of English antiques; and Dianne Perry Vanderlip, a curator of contemporary art at the Denver Art Museum.

Hostetler earned wide acclaim for his unique treatment of the feminine form. Most of his pieces begin as wood carvings, with bronze versions cast directly from the wood. In the 1960s, he gained national prominence with his American Woman Series - graceful, flowing wood sculptures. He initiated the series using indigenous hardwoods (elm, white oak, walnut, maple), then progressed from folk images to stylized symbols in exotic woods (purpleheart, ziricote and Pink Ivory). The photographer Yousuf Karsh created a portrait of Hostetler surrounded by his "women". His artwork has been featured in films, on television and in newspapers and magazines.

David L. Hostetler (December 27, 1926 – November 18, 2015) was a wood carver and bronze sculptor of works capturing the female form. He was also a professor emeritus of Ohio University.

Born in Beach City, Ohio, on December 27, 1926, Hostetler had a close relationship with his Amish grandfather, an influence which stayed with him throughout his career. His interest in art came by accident: during World War II, while studying as an engineer in the US Army, he suffered a shrapnel wound in the leg during a training exercise in California. While recuperating for six months, he became interested in art after receiving drawing materials from a Red Cross volunteer. He received his art degree from Indiana University in 1948 and in 1949 was awarded a Master's of Fine Arts from Ohio University, where he taught for 38 years.