Tom Otterness

Tom Otterness has created a distinctly individual oeuvre of public sculptures and installations around the world. His whimsical, often satirical sculptures serve as a catalyst for greater conversation surrounding themes of power, wealth and societal dynamics. ‘I think public art functions as a town square does,’ he noted. ‘It’s an object through which people can talk to each other.’

Born in 1952 in Wichita, Kansas, Otterness moved to New York City in the 1970s, where he became part of the vibrant downtown art scene. He studied at the Art Students League and later participated in the Whitney Museum’s Independent Study Program, which helped shape his unique artistic voice.

A lifelong proponent of public art, Otterness was one of the founders of the artists’ cooperative Collaborative Projects, or Colab. The group advocated a form of artist-driven cultural activism in response to the social and political environment of New York, and the United States at large, in the 1970s. Other artists working with him included Kiki Smith, Jenny Holzer, and John Ahearn, all whom have continued to push the bounds of the art exhibition space.

With his stylised, cartoon-like figurines and objects, Otterness has created a unique visual vocabulary. His work transcends the traditional role of bronze monuments to comment on societal issues and activate the space in which his sculptures situate. At the same time, Otterness encourages interaction, instilling a sense of familiarity in his creations that engages with the public.

It is no surprise that Otterness has received numerous public commissions. Among them include The Real World (1992) in Battery Park City, New York and Life Underground (2004) for the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority. By working with communities and public programmes, the artist has been able to install and highlight his works in various venues open to a wider audience.