George Stanley (sculptor)
Encyclopedia
George Stanley is an American sculptor. He designed the Academy Award of Merit, or Oscar, as well as sculpting the Muse Statue at the Hollywood Bowl
.
in the year 1903. He then moved as a child to California and spent his youth there in the city of Watsonville
, north of Los Angeles.
Upon graduation from high school Stanley proceeded to study sculpture at Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles
from 1923 to 1926. He also taught at this school from 1926-1942. Stanley also taught briefly at the Santa Barbara School of the Arts
. During his life he completed many public arts works including work for schools such as the Long Beach Polytechnic High School
, as well as works for private patrons.
, completed in 1934. This statue was part of a larger work known as the Astronomer's Monument. This work was a public project funded by the PWAP. Consequently, the
work was signed "PWAP", with none of the five artists contributing to it receiving individual recognition. It was supervised by Archibald Gardner
. Stanley designed the Oscar award based on an original sketch by Cedric Gibbons
. It was first awarded in 1929. Stanley sculpted the Sculpture of the Muse of Music, Dance and Drama located at the Hollywood Bowl. Completed in 1940, this sculpture is carved from granite and stands twenty-two feet tall and two-hundred feet wide. It is Art Deco in style and serves as a retaining wall for the amptheater.
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
.
Early life
Stanley was born in Acadia Parish, LouisianaAcadia Parish, Louisiana
Acadia Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Crowley. According to the 2010 census, the population of Acadia Parish is 61,773. The parish was founded from parts of St...
in the year 1903. He then moved as a child to California and spent his youth there in the city of Watsonville
Watsonville, California
Watsonville is a city in Santa Cruz County, California, United States. The population was 51,199 according to the 2010 census.Located on the central coast of California, the economy centers predominantly around the farming industry. It is known for growing strawberries, apples, lettuce and a host...
, north of Los Angeles.
Upon graduation from high school Stanley proceeded to study sculpture at Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
from 1923 to 1926. He also taught at this school from 1926-1942. Stanley also taught briefly at the Santa Barbara School of the Arts
Santa Barbara School of the Arts
Santa Barbara School of the Arts was a college of art founded in Santa Barbara, California by artist Fernand Lungren in 1920. It closed in 1933....
. During his life he completed many public arts works including work for schools such as the Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Long Beach Polytechnic High School, founded in 1895 as Long Beach High School, is a High school located at 1600 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach, California, United States....
, as well as works for private patrons.
Sculpting career
Stanley sculpted a statue of Sir Isaac Newton located at the Griffith ObservatoryGriffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is in Los Angeles, California, United States. Sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in L.A.'s Griffith Park, it commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest...
, completed in 1934. This statue was part of a larger work known as the Astronomer's Monument. This work was a public project funded by the PWAP. Consequently, the
work was signed "PWAP", with none of the five artists contributing to it receiving individual recognition. It was supervised by Archibald Gardner
Archibald Gardner
Archibald Gardner was a 19th century pioneer and businessman who helped establish communities in Alvinston, Ontario, Canada, West Jordan, Utah and Star Valley, Wyoming based on flour mills and lumber mills...
. Stanley designed the Oscar award based on an original sketch by Cedric Gibbons
Cedric Gibbons
Austin Cedric Gibbons was an Irish American art director who was one of the most important and influential in the field in the history of American film. He also made a great impact on motion picture theater architecture through the 1930s to 1950s, the period considered the golden-era of theater...
. It was first awarded in 1929. Stanley sculpted the Sculpture of the Muse of Music, Dance and Drama located at the Hollywood Bowl. Completed in 1940, this sculpture is carved from granite and stands twenty-two feet tall and two-hundred feet wide. It is Art Deco in style and serves as a retaining wall for the amptheater.