The+Chrome+Horse



The Chrome Horse -shape of horse -The horse had eyes and ears when John Kearney made it. -tail attached to left leg -dirty wellets -about 5 1/2 ft. tall and wide -made out of chrome bumpers from old car parts -holes in most of bumpers
 * Name and description of piece:**

Arthur the Chrome Horse Though called Arthur, the horse isn't the original Arthur. Before it came to Parker, a statue of a hippopotamus stood in its place. That hippo was named Arthur, in memory of a pediatrician who worked at the school, Arthur L. Shafton.
 * Common Nickname:**

John Kearney John Kearney's Website Link Here
 * Artist:**

Sculpture
 * Type Of Piece:**

Second Floor in front of 3rd grade atrium
 * Location:**

It was donated to the school.
 * How did it come to be at Parker?**

After it was made, it traveled to a studio down the street from the school. From there two things could have happened. It was either donated directly by John Kearney (he did have two kids attending Parker), or someone bought it, and then donated it. It was donated in 1974.
 * History:**

John Kearney was born in 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska. He served in the Navy for four years and afterwords attended Cranbrook Academy of Art where he acquired most of his art training. He continued to make art, and in 1949 he moved to Chicago and opened a studio. John Kearney was the father of Dan and Jill who graduated in the 70's. He also created two fiberglass statues of his children. These two statues are one in the stairwell near the science wing. Most of John's pieces are welded from car parts, specifically chrome car bumpers (what he made the horse out of). Nowadays though, car bumpers are made out of fiberglass and/or plastic.
 * John Kearney:**

Sources: Mattson, Mark group interview February 2010 Saracino, Nick personal interview February 2010