richard becker
sculpture
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bio, artist's
statement
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portrait of capt. matt bancroft usmc
commission for the bancroft family
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PRESS RELEASE ---- For Immediate Release FALLEN MIRAMAR MARINE CAPTAIN MATT BANCROFT TO BE
HONORED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND BRONZE PORTRAIT TO BE PRESENTED TO FAMILY AT LA
JOLLA GALLERY
Twenty-nine year old Captain Matt Bancroft, one of seven Miramar Marines who died January 9th in Operation Enduring Freedom, will be honored this weekend at La Jolla’s Fingerhut Gallery at 1205 Prospect Street. A bronze portrait bust of Matt, by San Diego sculptor Richard Becker will be on display at the gallery this Friday through Memorial Day. The sculpture will be presented to Captain Bancroft's wife and children at 7 pm Saturday evening May 25th, 2002.
The portrait was commissioned through local donations including the Matt Bancroft Memorial Fund and Basketball Tournament. “Creating Matt's portrait was an honor and a powerful experience,” says artist Richard Becker. “I never met Matt, but as I grew to know his friends and family it was clear what a great sacrifice was made for our country's freedom. It was an honor to pay tribute to one of our country’s heroes in a lasting and personal way.”
Matt Bancroft, along with fellow Marines Captain Daniel McCollum, Gunnery Sergeant Stephen Bryson, Staff Sergeant Scott Germosen, Sergeant Nathan Hays, Sergeant Jeannette Winters, and Lance Corporal Bryan Bertrand died when their KC-130 turboprop cargo transport and aerial refueler crashed in mountainous terrain while on a nighttime mission in Pakistan near the Afghan border.
Wife Mary Ellen and stepsons 14 year old Sean and 12 year old Christian originally came to San Diego in 1998. Captain Bancroft was transferred to Miramar the following year and the couple married. Baby daughter Bailey Madison arrived a year ago. Matt was born in Milwaukee, Oregon and grew up in Burney, California. He is remembered as an outstanding student and athlete. Matt attended the United States Naval Academy and after flight school participated in deployments to Jordan, Kenya, Egypt, and Kuwait.
Photos
of the bust are available for download at www.richardbecker.com
[press information] [matt bancroft].
LINKS
TO OTHER PHOTOS:
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copyright 1996-2009 richard becker sculpture www.richardbecker.com |
On
February 23rd, friends, family and basketball teammates put on and
participated in a three on three basketball tournament at San Diego High
School that culminated a fund-raising drive. At that time, a preliminary
bust of Matt was unveiled. The final portrait bust has recently emerged
from the bronzing process and will be displayed this weekend only at the
Fingerhut.
