Jack Hastings

Jack Byron Hastings, 87, died Wednesday July 17, 2013 at his Deepwoods Sewanee studio. He was born Nov. 16, 1925 in Kennett, Missouri to Archibald Hastings and Mina Kirkland Hastings. He is survived by his life partner of 53 years, Arlyn Ende; his daughter, Dorian Hastings; a son, Conrad Gardner; step-son Mark William (Claire) Lovett; grandsons, Eli Lindsey, Dimitri George Konis, Curtis William Lovett; nephew Robert Hastings and niece Burna Deane Perry; and great-nieces and nephews.Jack's idyllic early childhood was spent aboard a dredge captained by his father as it cut waterways into new territories. His was a storybook childhood: barefoot until he was 13, sporadically enrolled in 14 different elementary schools as the dredge moved from the Florida Everglades to Minnesota. His wayfaring life continued until he was enrolled in Morgan Prep School in Petersburg, TN. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII, then enrolled in art school at L.S.U. and later the Escuela de Pintura y Escultura in Mexico City. There, Jack was privileged to spend extended periods at the base of Diego Riveras scaffold, learning the process of fresco painting from the great master himself. Returning to New Orleans in the early 50's, Jack began to establish what became his lifelong career as an artist. He cast bronze sculpture in Italy, had solo exhibitions and installed sculptures in N.Y.C, created public artworks in Boston, and carved cement fountains and garden sculptures in Arizona. During these years he and his partner became increasingly disillusioned with the political climate of the country. In 1972 they turned to the land, settling on a hillside farm in Bradyville,Tenn., seeking to sustain life and right livelihood with their art. In the ensuing 23 years Jack created many of his major commissions, including large mobiles for the Nashville Airport and the TVA headquarters in Chattanooga. He also began documenting his life in essays and poems.Jack and his partner hand-built their Deepwoods studios overlooking a small lake in Sewanee in 1994. In this serene setting Jack completed numerous commissions for private residences and accomplished his dream of publishing his writings. The Illuminated History of Darkness (aka IHOD), was released in 2000. A joint exhibition of the work of Jack Hastings and Arlyn Ende was held in Nashville in Oct. 2012 at Tinney Contemporary Gallery, entitled "The Essence of Our Ticking," after one of Jack's poems.A generous spirit filled with wisdom, Jack Hastings was a ready model to countless other aspiring artists.As was his way, Jack faced his final illness as a brave realist.Contributions in his honor may be made to Cumberland Farmers Market, c/o 555 Haynes Rd., Sewanee, TN 37375 or to Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace, P.O. Box 307, Sewanee, TN 37375. Online tributes may be entered at NorthFuneralHome.com.