Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Feats of Strength, 1999

Tom Otterness
(American, born 1952)

Location: Western Washington University, Bellingham

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Sculptor Tom Otterness is known his whimsical characters and humorous compositions. Feats of Strength is comprised of five playful sculptures featuring seven bronze figures lifting and interacting with stones and boulders.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Western Washington University.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Tom Otterness is a Brooklyn-based sculptor known for his cartoonish animals and imaginary characters. The sculptures are often grouped together into small scenes and visual stories.

Otterness’s artworks are installed in public spaces around the world, including several playgrounds. In the United States, you may have seen his sculptures at the Cleveland Public Library, New York City subway stations (14th Street and 8th Avenue), Phoenix Convention Center, San Francisco General Hospital, Wichita Art Museum, and more. His art is also found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Guggenheim Museum, among many others.