 hris Brunner’s artistry manifests itself in everything from sculpture to site-specific installations, from functional fixtures to innovative lighting solutions and water features. Revealing his passion for nature in steel, limestone, granite and marble, Brunner’s work enlivens space with strong, fluid design. His organic materials integrate with their environment, defining a sense of place.
Each piece seeks balance in the juxtaposition of stone and steel, evoking the Asian aesthetic of yin/yang. Challenging your assumptions about art. About life.
Working in various scales, Brunner finds practical solutions for architectural and landscape design challenges. He’s at home on multidisciplinary teams with architects, landscape architects, engineers and planners seeking holistic approaches to the unique circumstances of each project.
Brunner holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Bethany College and a master’s of fine arts in sculpture from Wichita State University. After completing his post-graduate studies in 1979, Brunner worked for Trotter Brothers, designing and manufacturing theatrical props, puppets and stages. He then served as production supervisor at the Design Centre, overseeing the conception and fabrication of wildly diverse yet purposeful displays for trade shows, retail ventures and more. A 30-foot iceberg. A 20-foot champagne bottle. The world’s largest Christmas tree. In these creations, Brunner learned to tackle difficult problems with originality and vision.
An active artist for almost 30 years, Brunner is equally adept with public art projects, private commissions or themed exhibitions. Recently completed work includes a monolithic sculpture for ABC-TV’s “Extreme Home Makeover.” He also collaborated on design and production of an abstract large-scale stone battleship and site furniture on the grounds of Wichita’s Mid-America All-Indian Center, located at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers.
Brunner is married and runs with a pack of two black schipperke dogs. |
