David Eckard, a renowned artist and beloved educator, passed away on April 16, 2025, at the age of 60 due to complications from cancer.
He died at the Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas, surrounded by his devoted husband, Eric Alberty, and close friends.
Eckard’s legacy is defined not only by his artistic contributions but also by the love he fostered within various communities.
Born in Spirit Lake, Iowa in 1964, David was the son of John Keith Eckard and Alice Darlene Eckard (Rasmussen).
He is survived by his three brothers, Dennis and his wife Kathy from Bella Vista, Arkansas; Dean and his wife Linda from Hanover, Minnesota; and Dana and his wife Elizabeth from Klamath Falls, Oregon, along with his sister, Deanne, who resides in Titusville, Florida.
David was a beloved uncle, cherished by his nieces and nephews: Darcy, Eric, Melissa, Jake, Jessica, and John.
Growing up on a farm in Iowa greatly influenced David’s approach to art, instilling in him a pragmatic and sensible mindset that informed his creative expressions.
In his artistic career, Eckard made a significant impact as an innovative and influential figure in the art world.
His body of work emerged from his authentic voice and experience, showcasing a unique blend of craftsmanship with performance art that set him apart.
After graduating with a BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago, David embraced his identity as an artist, never imitating anyone else but instead creating deeply personal work.
Many of his early artistic expressions arose during the AIDS epidemic, with roots in Queer protest groups, intertwining poetic form with political action and themes of bodily identity.
Eckard’s performances were well-known at the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art’s TBA festival, where one of his notable works titled Float featured him reciting poetic monologues while adrift on a massive metal buoy on the Willamette River, surrounded by a flotilla of kayakers.
His performances also animated the Pacific Northwest College of Art’s Focus Week, a time dedicated to the public exhibition of students’ theses, showcasing his combination of wit and vulnerability that enlivened the environments where he performed.
Throughout his 25-plus years at PNCA, he made an indelible impact as an Associate Professor and eventually Chair of the Sculpture program, mentoring hundreds of students who later became esteemed colleagues.
Eckard’s kindness, humor, and exceptional technical skills contributed to his reputation as an exemplary educator, and his influence on contemporary art in the Pacific Northwest remains vast.
A significant chapter of David’s career unfolded during his two years as head of the Pont Aven School of Art in Brittany, France, where he expanded his connections and an international dimension to his artwork.
Over the course of his career, Eckard received numerous accolades, including one of the first Hallie Ford Fellowships, as well as recognition as a Bonnie Bronson Fellow and an Oregon Arts Commission Fellow.
His work, both in private and public collections, stands as a testament to his extensive exhibition record, including his 2024 residency at the Archer Gallery in Vancouver, where he presented the installation and performance piece, Totter.
Eckard’s collaborations with various artists, dancers, and performers were a hallmark of his career, highlighted by his work with Three Trick Pony and several projects involving drag artist Anthony Hudson, also known as Carla Rossi.
While primarily celebrated for his sculptures and performance art, many overlook David’s paintings and two-dimensional constructions, which reveal profound depth and intricacy.
In the last decade, he increasingly focused on painting, channeling the same technical prowess, poetic wit, and beauty characteristic of his other work.
His recent compositions address profound and topical issues, reflecting the rage permeating American culture and the realities of racial violence, culminating in poignant portraits, including one of his husband, Eric, depicting him as a beacon of light.
David’s life transformed upon meeting Eric, as they found solace and inspiration in one another during pivotal moments.
Together, they cultivated a home marked by creativity, generosity, joy, and beauty.
David often shared stories with his students about Eric’s delightful home-cooked meals, and his own vibrant outfits, fashioned from Eric’s crocheted creations.
Their life together was a tapestry of great meals, joyous travel, and a shared love for their dog Ryelee, who enjoyed racing around their yard and resting on David’s legs covered with a crocheted blanket.
Eric played an instrumental role in encouraging David to produce some of his most complex and heartfelt work, but more importantly, they built a loving home together, enriched by their shared passions.
A public celebration of David Eckard’s life will be held on May 10th at PNCA (511 NW Broadway) from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, inviting friends, colleagues, and admirers to honor his artistic legacy and the profound impact he had on many lives.
image source from：https://www.orartswatch.org/david-eckard-sculptor-and-performance-artist-dies-at-60/
