Mundy Morrison Hepburn1

M, #58711, b. 10 May 1955

Family: Shelly L. Fabian

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthMay 10, 19551
MarriageJun 3, 19841
Residence2014Old Saybrook, CT, USA
NotableMundy Hepburn is an American artist who designs and builds glass sculptures filled with luminous electrified inert gases.
BiographyWikipedia: Mundy Hepburn is an American artist who designs and builds glass sculptures filled with luminous electrified inert gases -- the same technology used in neon signs. Hepburn developed many of the glass and lighting techniques he uses in his sculptures himself. His works include a large permanent installation of 200 lighted sculptures in a parking garage in New Haven, Connecticut, known as the Neon Garage.

Hepburn lives in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. He is the nephew of actress Katharine Hepburn.

New York Times:
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In a New Haven Garage, Neon Art Glows
By ANDI RIERDEN
Published: October 8, 1989

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''THIS garage is the inside of my brain,'' said Mundy Hepburn, gliding his arm through the air. Standing in the bed of a Chevy pickup, his frame backlighted by one of his neon sculptures, ''The Wave,'' he described with reverence the ''mystical beauty'' of neon.

''It's so totally subliminal, so totally primordial,'' he said. ''Just think of it as the caveman before the fire.'' Outside the cavernous parking garage on Crown Street in downtown New Haven, Yale students and pin-striped executives stop to ponder the sculptures dangling above the BMW's and Dodge Colts and straddling the whitewashed brick walls.

Curious people stand across the street at Louie's Lunch. Some move closer to study Mr. Hepburn's blazing amorphous creations with names like ''Plasma Pod,'' ''Nuclear Chicken'' and ''Cow Guts.''

''It's really an art gallery by accident,'' said John Schmid, co-owner of the Neon Garage, who stumbled on Mr. Hepburn and his art work two years ago. Along with his partners, Betsy Keedle and Joe Coppola, Mr. Schmid operates the Professional Parking Company of Hartford, which leases 20 garages statewide.

In 1987, Mr. Schmid called on Mr. Hepburn, a sign maker and a nephew of Katharine Hepburn, to make a pink Cadillac sign for a garage. When he arrived at Mr. Hepburn's basement studio in Old Saybrook, Mr. Schmid found more than just neon advertising signs.

''My wife and I couldn't believe our eyes,'' he recalled. ''Here was all this unbelievable neon art that had never been exhibited. I thought that was a real shame and convinced Mundy to put some of his work in the Crown Street garage.''

Hanging the sculptures and fine-tuning their wiring took 14 months, ''including a lot of nights and weekends,'' said Mr. Schmid, whose company leased the garage two years ago. 170 Neon Sculptures

The exhibition includes 170 neon sculptures, and Mr. Schmid hopes to add at least 100 more.

The reactions to the Neon Garage, which also rents 120 parking spaces, has been enthusiastic, Mr. Schmid said. ''People are astounded,'' he said. ''It appeals to them because it's very unexpected. There's just no reason for it. The only art I know about is the art of parking cars. All I wanted to do was put some neon in there for fun because I thought it was so neat. And now everyone's encouraging us to have gallery openings and who knows what.''

Another fan is Gary M. Young, executive director of the State Commission on the Arts. Mr. Young, who lives in Hamden, was going to work in Hartford one morning when he passed the Neon Garage. ''I drove by and couldn't believe all this wonderful art,'' he said. ''What a strange but nifty place to exhibit, this great space with all the carbon monoxide and horns.''

Mr. Young asked Mr. Hepburn for an exhibition in the commission's Hartford office at 227 Lawrence Street. The show, which opened Sept. 14, includes 10 neon sculptures and will run weekdays until the end of this month. 'Playful Exploration'

''One of the nice things about Mundy's work is that he responds to the material through his personal perceptions and awareness,'' Mr. Young said. ''His work is a very playful exploration of glass and color. He's been able to push neon beyond the typical industrial colors, making it very different and fresh.'' Mr. Young also bought one of the sculptures for his condo.

A self-taught glassblower and sign maker, Mr. Hepburn, who is 34 years old, was raised in the Borough of Fenwick in Old Saybrook, an area he described as ''beautiful, but quite isolated.''

''There were few children around,'' he said. ''So it pretty much predisposed me to interact with things more than people.'' Early Creativity

Handed a tool set when he was 4, Mundy began to build toys for two younger brothers and once built a circular saw out of a small motor; some nails, which he made into bearings, and a tin-can lid that he carved into a saw.

His father, Dick, a playwright, and his mother, Estelle, a former children's librarian and stage designer, approached were cautious yet encouraging.

''My parents always told us that if we followed the rules, we'd get nowhere fast,'' Mr. Hepburn said. ''It was essential that we always try to pursue things in a unique way. That really helped us to develop creatively.''

When he was 8, his mother took him to the Guilford Crafts Fair on the green, where she set up a booth and sold silk-screened dresses and hand-decorated children's clothes. He walked over to an artist melting glass. He said: ''I thought: 'Wow, look at that! The glass gets gooey when you melt it.' It was the weirdest thing I'd ever seen. And I've always been a sucker for weird things.''

Mr. Hepburn added that he tried to steal one of the artist's glass animals. When the artist's wife caught him, the boy ran away but was drawn back. Expecting to be scolded, he was instead asked to go to the back of the booth.

''She handed me a tiny box, and I ran back to my mother and opened it,'' Mr. Hepburn recalled. ''Inside was a glass swan. My little brains nearly melted. I went home the same day and started to cook lightbulbs on our kitchen stove.'' Means of Self-Help

Mr. Hepburn taught himself how to make glass animals and earrings to sell at craft shows. He dropped out of high school and encountered personal problems, including a drug problem. He began to broaden his glass experiments, as a form of occupational therapy.

''I began working with glass to prevent myself from committing suicide. I was that desperate,'' he said. ''About that time, my father said to me: 'Mundy, you come from a family of race horses. Don't try to plod, or else you'll self-destruct. Whatever you do, do it all the way.' The problem was I was so high on drugs that I could barely even plod.''

On a visit to Tucson, Ariz., he began leafing through the telephone book until he came across an ad for neon signs. He telephoned the owner of the shop and went there the same afternoon. 35 Tries on an 'O'

''For the next four hours I sat in this little room that felt like an inferno while this little fat guy with glasses dripping with sweat filled my head with how to do neon,'' he said.

At 22, he opened a neon-sign shop in Old Saybrook without ever having bent a piece of glass. His first job was to repair a store's ''open'' sign. It took him 35 tries before he perfected the ''O.'' Next he repaired six Miller Beer signs for Star Distributors Inc. in West Haven for $160.

On the side, he continued to swell fragile tubes and twist them. Mr. Hepburn would then weld a thin conducting wire into one end and pump inert gas into the other before sealing the sculpture.

Mr. Hepburn sold one of his first neon sculptures to Rudi Stern, the neon-light art dealer in Manhattan. Mr. Stern, who wrote ''The New Let There Be Neon'' (Abrams, $35), called Mr. Hepburn's neon art ''some of the finest in the world.''

Neon signs are created by passing an electric current through a glass tube containing the inert neon, producing a red glow. Mr. Hepburn has expanded on the principle by using argon, xenon or helium to vary colors and effects. Other variables include the glass; pressure; mercury, if any, and fluorescent powders, or phosphors.

The sculptures cost $200 to $1,000 for a bouquet of neon flowers to $4,000 for larger free-form subjects. 'Abused Social Medium'

''People keep calling me an artist, when all along I just thought of myself as a technologist quietly exploring the potential of neon,'' Mr. Hepburn said. More than anything else, though, he said he would like to change the public's opinion of neon, which he called ''an abused social medium.''

''It's like the use of marble for door jams in bathrooms,'' he said. ''Marble is also used in the ''Pieta.'' Same thing as neon, yet it hasn't gotten out of the bathroom yet.''

Mr. Hepburn envisions a school for neon artists, but for now he appears content holding court in the sea of sculptures at the Neon Garage, where he answers the phone and helps tenants find their cars. ''Someday,'' he said, ''there's going to be neon garages all over the world.''

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Kuy Morrison Hepburn1

M, #58712, b. 15 June 1959

Family: Karen Sprague

  • Marriage*: Kuy Morrison Hepburn married Karen Sprague on Apr 26, 1992.1

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
BirthJun 15, 19591
MarriageApr 26, 19921

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Aile Morrison Hepburn1

?, #58713, b. 15 June 1961

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthJun 15, 19611

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

David Powell Hepburn1

M, #58714, b. 24 August 1951

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
BirthAug 24, 19511
Living2007Glastonbury, CT, USA

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Susanna Hepburn1

F, #58715, b. 22 June 1954

Family: Robert M. Kravitz

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthJun 22, 1954CT, USA1
Marriage2
ResidenceCanton, CT, USA

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , Rootsweb. Com, Death Reocrds, Houghton Surname, Jan. 28, 2002.
  2. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Margaret Hepburn Perry1

F, #58716, b. 19 June 1942

Family: Klaus Thomas Obermeyer Sr

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthJun 19, 19421
MarriageJun 25, 19651

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Robert Gibbs Perry1

M, #58717, b. 11 February 1950

Family: Melanie Scorelle

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
BirthFeb 11, 19501
MarriageJun 13, 19701

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Scott Houghton Perry1

M, #58718, b. 12 April 1952

Family: Kathleen Robinson

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
BirthApr 12, 19521
MarriageApr 17, 19761,2

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.
  2. [S415] E-mail from Katherine Houghton Perry, Feb. 1, 2008.

Lansford Wilder Perry1

M, #58719, b. 29 December 1955

Family 1: Elaine Ziles

Family 2: Peggy Thorpe

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthDec 29, 19551
Marriage1
Marriage2

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.
  2. [S415] E-mail from Katherine Houghton Perry, Feb. 1, 2008.

Shelly L. Fabian1

F, #58720

Family: Mundy Morrison Hepburn b. 10 May 1955

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
MarriageJun 3, 19841

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Gillian Hepburn1

F, #58721

Biography

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Corresponded with author?
Birth

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Fabian Hepburn1

M, #58722, b. 3 February 1985

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthFeb 3, 19851

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Spencer Thomas Hepburn1

M, #58723, b. 3 July 1986

Biography

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Corresponded with author?
BirthJul 3, 19861

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

James Andrew Hepburn1

M, #58724, b. 6 August 1988

Biography

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Corresponded with author?
BirthAug 6, 19881

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Matthew Hepburn1

M, #58725, b. 19 June 1992

Biography

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Corresponded with author?
BirthJun 19, 19921

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Karen Sprague1

F, #58726

Family: Kuy Morrison Hepburn b. 15 Jun 1959

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
MarriageApr 26, 19921

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Jasmine Sprague Hepburn1

F, #58727, b. 14 April 1993

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthApr 14, 19931

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Robert M. Kravitz1

M, #58728

Family: Susanna Hepburn b. 22 Jun 1954

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Marriage1
Living2007

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Jarrett M. Kravitz1

M, #58729, b. 4 January 1978

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
BirthJan 4, 19781
Living2007Canton, CT, USA

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Naomi L. Kravitz1

F, #58730, b. 25 August 1981

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthAug 25, 19811

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Owen J. Kravitz1

M, #58731, b. 14 December 1986

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
BirthDec 14, 19861
Living2007Canton, CT, USA

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Olivia Hepburn Kravitz1

F, #58732, b. 30 August 1988

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
BirthAug 30, 19881
Living2007Canton, CT, USA

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Sherry Ann Borough1

F, #58733

Family: Thomas Hepburn Perry b. 19 Jun 1942, d. 10 May 1968

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
MarriageJan 4, 19641

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Thomas More Perry1

M, #58734, b. 10 August 1967

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthAug 10, 19671

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Klaus Thomas Obermeyer Sr1

M, #58735

Family: Margaret Hepburn Perry b. 19 Jun 1942

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
MarriageJun 25, 19651

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Klaus Thomas Obermeyer Jr1

M, #58736, b. 17 November 1968

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthNov 17, 19681

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Melanie Scorelle1

F, #58737

Family: Robert Gibbs Perry b. 11 Feb 1950

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
MarriageJun 13, 19701

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Fiona Perry1

F, #58738, b. 10 April 1972

Biography

A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?
Corresponded with author?
BirthApr 10, 19721

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.

Peggy Thorpe1

F, #58739

Family: Lansford Wilder Perry b. 29 Dec 1955

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.
  2. [S415] E-mail from Katherine Houghton Perry, Feb. 1, 2008.

Kathleen Robinson1

F, #58740

Family: Scott Houghton Perry b. 12 Apr 1952

Biography

Corresponded with author?
A Contributor to Houghton Surname Project?

Citations

  1. [S654] Electronic Web Site, , http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com, Descendants of ?Hepburn/Hepbron, Jan. 29, 2002.
  2. [S415] E-mail from Katherine Houghton Perry, Feb. 1, 2008.