ABOUT
Ekko Mobiles is a Portland-Oregon based design and artist studio that specializes in creating mobiles, stabiles, and all types of kinetic art. We work with architects, art consultants, and private individuals to create one-of-a-kind pieces for homes, business, and public spaces.
Ekko Mobiles can be found in locations across the world including Bloomingdale’s, the set of “Ocean’s 13,” Harpo Studios, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Starz Entertainment, GlaxoSmithKline, Hotel Valley Ho, Boston Consulting Group, Methodist Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Purdue University, and many other corporations, organizations, and private residences.
Ekko Mobiles have been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple magazine, Dwell Magazine, Elegant Bride Magazine, The Week magazine, the Houston Chronicle, Portland’s Daily Journal of Commerce, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, and HGTV’s Divine Design.
MATT’S BIO
The concept for Ekko Mobiles began nearly ten years ago while Matt was pursuing his mechanical engineering degree. As Matt tinkered during downtime to create kinetic works of art, he realized the joy of merging art with his technical background. And what began as novelty gifts for friends quickly evolved into Ekko Mobiles. Now Ekko provides mobiles for public spaces and art aficionados worldwide.
Matt’s initial Ekko designs echo the works and style of Alexander Calder—father of the mobile and fellow mechanical engineer. Matt even employs the same techniques as Calder to create unique, high-quality works of engineered art. Part artist, part problem solver, Matt enjoys both the technical and artistic challenges of creating mobiles. And his penchant for perfectionism and extreme attention to detail ensure top-notch creations each and every time.
BEN’S BIO
Ben is Ekko’s in-house industrial designer who studied at the University of Oregon and Art Institute of Portland. He relishes in selecting materials, learning the latest fabrication techniques, and developing clever design solutions for challenging site locations.
Ben works closely with Matt and the client to ensure smooth and consistent communication from project inception to installation. His background includes extensive coursework in architectural studies, which allows him to incorporate and draw inspiration from these design elements.
KATHRYN’S BIO
With experience in public relations, corporate communications, e-commerce management, and web marketing, Kathryn’s diverse background allows her to keep the company cogs running smoothly by overseeing company communications, marketing, web development, project management, bookkeeping, snack time, and whatever else gets thrown her way.
RESUME/PROJECT LIST print versionpdf version
COMMISSIONS
2011
COLORPLAY 3.0, THINK WORK INTERIORS
HILLSBORO, OREGON
6-foot wide by 12-foot tall mobile created from painted aluminum sheet and stainless-steel rod
2010
UNTITLED, MEADOWS REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
VIDALIA, GEORGIA
6-foot wide by 12-foot tall mobile created from painted aluminum sheet and stainless-steel rod
2010
INCENDIARY, POLSINELLI SHUGART PC
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
8-foot wide by 12-foot tall chandelier-style mobile created from stainless-steel tube, and nearly 500 powder-coated and polished stainless-steel shapes
2010
MODERNE RED, MCGARRAH JESSEE
AUSTIN, TEXAS
18-foot wide by 10-foot tall mobile created from powder-coated aluminum sheet and steel rod
2010
ALIGNMENT, ORTHOPAEDIC AND SPINE SPECIALISTS
YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
16-foot wide by 4-foot tall mobile created from polished and powder-coated aluminum sheet and stainless-steel rod
2010
COLORPLAY 2.0, THE AMBASSADOR HEALTH SYSTEM
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
6-foot wide by 16-foot tall mobile created from painted aluminum sheet and stainless-steel rod
2010
ROLLING HORIZONS, ROCKINGHAM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA
25-foot by 24-foot series of 17 suspended powder-coated perforated aluminum panels
2010
COLORPLAY, RAPIDES REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA
28-foot tall by 18-foot wide mobile of stainless-steel rod and powder-coated aluminum shapes
2009
PROMETHEUS LOGO, PROMETHEUS LABS
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
Set of two 5-foot tall by 7-foot wide sculptural representations of company’s logo fabricated from aluminum sheet and aluminum tube
2009
SAIL TOWER, PRIVATE PALACE
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA
30-foot tall by 10-foot wide group of suspended forms made of hand-dyed fabric-covered aluminum panels
2009
POLYCHROMATIC PENDANTS, ENCIRCLE HEALTH
APPLETON, WISCONSIN
Group of three 10-foot tall forms consisting of aluminum tubing and covered with custom-painted monofilament fabric
2009
GLISSANDO, PURDUE UNIVERSITY
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
6-foot by 4-foot by 6-foot series of suspended polished stainless-steel shapes
2009
GEOCHROMA, METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Three 8-foot by 10-foot hanging sculptures made of aluminum tubing and fabricated acrylic
2009
WHISPERS 2.0, ST. ELIZABETH’S HOSPITAL
APPLETON, WISCONSIN
6-foot diameter by 10-foot tall mobile consisting of hundreds of polished stainless-steel shapes
2009
LEAFLINES 2.0, ST. NORBERT’S COLLEGE
DE PERE, WISCONSIN
6-foot wide by 12-foot wide, polished, and powder-coated aluminum sheet, aluminum tubing, and stainless-steel braided cable
2009
UNTITLED, SPACE LIFT HOMES
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
12-foot wide by 4-foot long mobile of painted aluminum sheet and stainless-steel rod for a private residence in Chicago
2009
SISTERS, M STREET PARTNERS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Two 8-foot long mobiles of stainless-steel rod and painted steel shapes
2008
LEAFLINES, NORTH AUSTIN WOMEN’S HOSPITAL
AUSTIN, TEXAS
30-foot tall by 15-foot wide mobile of polished and anodized aluminum sheet, aluminum tubing, and stainless-steel braided cable
2008
LARGE OVALS, ERIE INSURANCE
ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
15-foot tall by 15-foot wide mobile of powdered-coated aluminum sheet, stainless-steel rod
2008
RHOMBUSES, JOHNSON & JOHNSON
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
10-foot wide mobile of colored acrylic incorporating logo elements for corporate awards ceremony
2008
ARCHITECTION, ARCHITECTION ARCHITECTS
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
8-foot wide by 6-foot tall mobile of painted aluminum sheet and stainless-steel rod created for entryway of historic building
2008
WHITE RIBBONS, NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS
EAST HANOVER, NEW JERSEY
20-foot long mobile of sheer fabric stretched across steel tubing frames for corporate office
2007
AIR MARKETING, AIR MARKETING INC.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
12-foot diameter mobile for lobby incorporating design elements from corporate logo
2006
UNTITLED, OCEAN’S 13
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
3-foot mobile of painted acrylic for movie set
2006
MOLECULAR MOTION, GLAXOSMITHKLINE
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA
Three-part mobile, including 15-foot-tall hanging double helix and two 15-foot long chemical compounds of steel tubing and latex-coated Styrofoam
2006
VALLEY HO, HOTEL VALLEY HO
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
12-foot diameter powder-coated aluminum and stainless-steel mobile for mid-century modern hotel lobby
2006
COPPER CIRCLES, HARPO STUDIOS
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
8-foot tall copper piping mobile for new production office
2006
SERIES OF CIRCLES, CRA INTERNATIONAL
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Series of mobiles ranging from 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide to 7 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide, constructed from stainless steel sheet and rod
2005
SILVER FOREST, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY
18-foot tall stainless-steel mobile for corporate office
2005
WHERE YOU TURN, TIMKEN CORPORATION
OFFICE LOCATIONS WORLDWIDE
100 4-foot mobiles incorporating theme from employee communications campaign
COMMUNITY ARTS
2010
INTERCESSION, GATEWAY CHURCH
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
40-foot long by 12-foot wide long structure composed of 22 suspended powder-coated perforated aluminum panels
2010
INTERACTIVE STABILES, COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART
COLUMBUS, OHIO
Set of three individual interactive standing mobiles that allow museum patrons to construct their own mobiles
2009
MOSAIC, AMERICAN CHORAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
8-foot by 8-foot mobile of aluminum rod and colored acrylic shapes
2008
ENGINUITY, MAHTOMEDI MIDDLE SCHOOL
MAHTOMEDI, MINNESOTA
12-foot tall by 12-foot wide mobile of stainless-steel rod and painted aluminum sheet created for engineering-based middle school
2008
WHISPERS IN PASTEL, CITY OF PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA
6-foot tall mobile made of dangling colored steel shapes for local community center
2008
UNTITLED, JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
PORTLAND, OREGON
Four 15-foot wide mobiles created as part of 8th-grade curriculum on systems. Students assisted in design, creation, and installation of mobiles
2005
UNTITLED, BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
4-foot mobile incorporating ornaments made and painted by students involved in community summer camp
2004
BEGINNINGS, SAGINAW RECREATION CENTER
SAGINAW, TEXAS
four-part hanging sculpture with components ranging from 3-foot in diameter to 25-foot long
EXHIBITIONS
2010
DESIGN WITHIN REACH
NATIONWIDE
Provided exlusive line of mobiles to Design Within Reach for display at retail locations nationwide
2008
VF CORPORATION
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
5-foot stainless-steel mobile created to display photographs at trade show exhibit featuring JanSport sporting goods
2007
STARZ CHANNEL
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
13-foot tall mobile incorporating Starz Channel logo created for industry trade show exhibit
2007
BLOOMINGDALE’S
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Three 5-foot mobiles for spring display at SoHo location
2007
DDP GALLERY
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS
Gallery exhibit featuring 11 original Ekko Mobiles designs
2007
DEJUAN STROUD
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Three 8-foot mobiles for display at design trade show
MEDIA
2011
MARTHA STEWART LIVING
2011
TEXAS ARCHITECT MAGAZINE
2011
CALIFORNIA MODERN MAGAZINE
2010
REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE
2010
DAILY JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
2009
DWELL MAGAZINE
2008
HGTV’S DIVINE DESIGN
2007
DESTINATIONS MAGAZINE
2007
HGTV’S FUN SHUI
2006
THE WEEK MAGAZINE
2005
EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION
2005
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
2005
HOUSTON PUBLIC RADIO
2004
ELEGANT BRIDE
PERSONAL
2003–
2011
EKKO MOBILES
OWNER
2002
BS, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
2001–
2005
EL PASO CORPORATION
PIPELINE ENGINEER
1976
DATE OF BIRTH
VICTORIA, TEXAS
IN THE SHOP
Ekko Mobiles operates out of a 1,200 square foot studio garage in the heart of Portland, Oregon. A typical day can involve anything from brainstorming and sketching design ideas to welding and assembling mobiles to test-hang from our 20-foot ceilings. We are in no way constrained by the size of our shop, and we have the in-house resources to cut, bend, form, grind, weld, paint, and fabricate onsite. We often have multiple projects at different stages at any given time, so the scenery at our shop is ever changing. If you’re in the area, give us a call to schedule a visit.
