| Jeff Decker | |
|---|---|
 Jeff Decker | |
| Born | (1966-06-14) June 14, 1966 (age 58) Torrance, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
| Known for | Bronze sculptures, The Hill Climber |
| Spouse | Kelly Lei Decker |
| Website | jeffdeckerstudio |
Jeff Decker is a sculptor and historian who is known for his bronze sculptures, the most notable of which is titled "By the Horns" (also known as The Hill Climber), a 16-foot-tall, 5,000-pound bronze located on the grounds of the Harley-Davidson Museum. His bronze-cast sculptures depicting the synergy of man and modern machines, particularly historic motorcycles, is known in both the motorcycling community and the world of fine art. As of 2009, Decker was Harley-Davidson's official sculptor.
Professional background
Decker is the son of Allen and Lana Decker. Steeped in the southern California car culture of the 1960s, Decker learned the ways of his father. An intense collector, Decker's father owned one of the area's largest flathead speed equipment collections.
Working full-time at a bronze casting foundry, Decker's first idea was to capture Man's quest for speed in all vehicles. His first sculpture was a 1924 Miller Indy car. Next came the Baby Bootlegger, a 1922 world record-holding speedboat.
On display at Bob Dron Harley-Davidson located in Oakland, California, Decker created a life-size bronze statue from a famous photograph of Joe Petrali showing him astride a Harley Streamliner, taken during Petrali's historic 136 mile per hour record setting run at Daytona on March 13, 1937. and is the only bronze sculpture artist licensed by Harley-Davidson to replicate their products. Decker also created a five-foot-tall, about 1,000-pound bronze of Elvis with a Harley-Davidson motorcycle he owned, a 1956 KHK model.
Bronze Sculptures
| Name | Year | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 1924 Miller 91 Indy Car | 1994 | 26″ × 12″ × 12″ | 60 pounds |
| The Baby Bootlegger | 1995 | 42″ × 12″ × 8″ | 60 pounds |
| The Flying Merkel | 1997 | 22″ × 13″ × 8″ | 55 pounds |
| Jim Davis Trophy Bust | 1998 | 18″ × 6″ × 6″ | 20 pounds |
| The 1915 Cyclone | 1998 | 22″ × 13″ × 8″ | 55 pounds |
| Flat Out at Bonneville | 1999 | 42″ × 12″ × 32″ | 300 pounds |
| Tilt & Turns | 1999 | 24" x 24" x 12" | 75 pounds |
| The 1916 Big Valve Excelsior | 2000 | 22″ × 13″ × 8″ | 55 pounds |
| The 1912 Indian Big Base 8 valve racer | 2000 | 22″ × 13″ × 8″ | 55 pounds |
| The 1916 8 Valve Harley-Davidson works racer | 2000 | 22″ × 13″ × 8″ | 55 pounds |
| Neck and neck with Death | 2000 | 7’ x 2’ x 2’ | 300 pounds |
| The Bullet 1/2 scale | 2001 | 44″ × 28″ × 28″ | 300 pounds |
| The Bullet 1/4 scale | 2002 | 22″ × 14″ × 14″ | 50 pounds |
| Slant Artist | 2003 | 18″ × 14″ × 28″ | 20 pounds |
| Petrali | 2003 | 7′ × 2′ × 4′ | 800 pounds |
| Petrali/Marquette-size | 2004 | 18″ × 8″ × 10″ | 25 pounds |
| Harley-Davidson's 1000+4 | 2004 | 18″ × 8″ × 12″ | 20 pounds |
| Ruby | 2005 | 18″ × 8″ × 12″ | 25 pounds |
| Daytona | 2006 | 28″ × 22″ × 13″ | 60 pounds |
| West Was Won | 2007 | 36″ × 20″ × 18″ | 110 pounds |
| The King and his Ride | 2007 | 18″ × 8″ × 12″ | 30 pounds |
| By the Horns (The Hill Climber) | 2008 | 9′ × 5′ × 18′ | 5 tons |
References
- Schmid, John. "Capturing the Harley Spirit". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- Morgan, Felicia. "Rider's Spotlight: Jeff Decker". Cannonball Endurance Run. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- ^ Migliore, Greg (February 26, 2009). "Elvis immortalized on bronze Harley". Autoweek. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- "Interview: Jeff Decker". Bike Exif. October 29, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- "Jeff Decker: Artist, Historian, Motorhead". Ed Youngblood's Motohistory. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- Davis, Miles (January 2007). "Joe Petrali: Hometown Hero". Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader. Woodridge, IL: Dominion Enterprises: 127. ISSN 1051-8088. OCLC 22125719.