Internationally Acclaimed Sculptor David Barr Dies at 73

“Transcending” is one of the most recognizable of David Barr’s sculptures. Installed at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, it pays tribute to laborers and skilled trade workers. (Photos via Flickr and Michigan Legacy Art Park)

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The Novi artist who created several iconic sculptures in Metro Detroit and around the world has died.

David Barr, 75, died Aug. 28 after a brief illness, hometownlife.com is reporting.

Barr, who lived in Novi for the past 34 years, loaned his 16-foot sculpture “Sonata” to the city in 2010. The sculpture, created in 1999, is installed at Fuerst Park on the northeast corner of Taft and 10 Mile Roads.

“It’s a wonderful feeling for me, and I’m overjoyed to do it,” the artist said. “I’d like to do more and leave some identity here.”

The city of Novi helped him realize that goal. In 2012, the Novi City Council voted unanimously Monday night to purchase the house and property of David and Beth Barr, 22600 Napier Road, to use as a park, sculpture garden and cultural education center, accordiing to Patch.com archives.

At the time, Barr agreed to give the city six pieces of sculpture valued at $145,000 to start the collection. Now, more than 30 sculptures and art pieces are displayed on the nearly 4-acre property and inside the 3,800-square-foot home.

The Art of Humanity

Novi Mayor Bob Gatt told hometownlife.com that Barr’s art “speaks to you.”

“David Barr was a man blessed with a vision – a vision expressed in his many sculptures that adorn our new Villa Barr art park,” Gatt told the newspaper. “David epitomized that which is Novi: A unique city filled with many great people working together, even though their visions may be completely opposite to one another.

“Forevermore, the legacy of David Barr, artist, sculptor, Novi resident and friend, will yell out to people who visit the sacred grounds that will house many of his art pieces,” Gatt continued. “All the citizens of Novi are grateful that Mr. Barr passed our way, in our time. Heaven has gained an artist. We shall miss him dearly.”

Barr’s sculptures are found across Michigan and around the world. He founded the Michigan Legacy Art Park at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. The 32-acre park, which opened in September 1995, features 47 sculptures – including eight of Barr’s – from 27 artists.

In a statement on the park website, MLAP executive director Renee Hintz said Barr taught lessons in humanity with his work.

“We are all so very sad to have lost David today,” she said. “He was such a compassionate friend and a great mind – a person who when he talked, you just hung on every word and let it sink in and become a part of you. I can truly say I am a better person for having known him. He created a body of work – sculptures, reliefs, books and the Art Park – from which great lessons about humanity can be learned. And I know just how proud he was of how the park has grown and the plans we have for the future.”

One of Barr’s most recognizable sculptures is “Transcending,” a 64-foot arch in downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza. Created in collaboration with artist Sergio DeGiusti, the soaring blend of bronze, steel and granite is a nod to the contributions of Detroit’s laborers and and skilled tradespeople.

“Revolution I” is installed at Fiat-Chrysler America’s headquarters in Auburn Hills, while its counterpart, “Revolution II” is installed at the automaker’s European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

One of his most ambitious efforts was “The Four Corners Project,” regarded as the largest sculpture in the world with installations in Greenland, Africa, Irian Jaya (New Guinea) and Easter Island.

For more about that, view the YouTube video.

Memorial Service Details

Barr’s wife, Beth Dwaihy-Barr, preceded him in death in December 2013. He is survived by his children, Heather Adamczyk and Gillian Copeland.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at his former home, now known as Villa Barr, located at 22600 Napier. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Michigan Legacy Art Project or to Livonia-based Angela Hospice.