Brad Rude

Brad Rude’s work involves paintings, bronze, wood, and found object sculptures. He has 18 different public art projects in a variety of locations including Museums, schools, a children’s hospital, arts & culture centers, a zoo, and several universities. His work is devoted primarily to expressing the relationship we have with animals and elements of the natural world, using analogies and metaphors to help viewers identify with the various animal characters.

Brad received 2015 GAP funding for his project titled “Aware of Ways”, a sculpture that he has been working on for a few years. The sculpture consists of a handmade, functional steam powered wagon upon which a bronze cast mule rides. The funds will go towards casting costs to transform the oil clay sculpture of the mule into a finished bronze piece. The use of the mule honors the historic position it played in the Walla Walla Valley during the 1800’s when mules were integral to the farming communities in the valley and playing a vital role in harvesting the wheat that fed an entire region of the country.