Everyday Encounters: A self-taught sculptor builds a 40-year career in bronze

Tiburon resident Kirk McGuire, pictured here in his home workspace Aug. 13, is a bronze sculptor currently working on a sculpture of the endangered green pitcher plant for the University of California at Berkeley. The 65-year-old has had his sculptures on display both domestically and internationally, including in Monaco, Singapore and Seoul. (Francisco Martinez / For The Ark)

When Kirk McGuire told his bronze-foundry boss in 1984 that the company would someday be casting sculptures for him, the owner laughed and said he too had dreamed of being a sculptor but ended up working for artists instead.

Four decades later, the Old Tiburon resident’s bold prediction proved prophetic. McGuire’s bronze marine-life sculptures now grace collections from Monaco to Maui, Singapore to Seoul.

The sculptor, who turned 65 on July 24, has created more than 1,500 unique bronze statues from his home studio. His piece “Legend,” depicting a deep-sea giant squid, joined Triton Submarines on land tours after the company conducted sea explorations to spot the massive creatures. Meanwhile, the University of California at Berkeley has commissioned McGuire to create a sculpture of the endangered green pitcher plant, Sarracenia oreophila, honoring late environmental sciences professor Jan Washburn.

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