Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo by Toni Johnson.

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo by Toni Johnson (detail).

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo by Toni Johnson (detail).

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo by Toni Johnson (detail).

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Hans J. Matschukat.

Artwork copyright Tom Otterness. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Hans J. Matschukat.

Train, 2010

Tom Otterness
(American, born 1952)

Location: City of Connell, Connell

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Tom Otterness' "Wild Life" series consists of six whimsical, bronze sculptural groups. They invite passersby to join the animals and tiny people at picnic tables along the town's main streets. They are spread around the small, rural town of Connell (population just over 5,000), in Central Washington. Train shows a small railroad scene moving across a table in front of the Connell City Hall. It references the nearby mural about two trains and the story of the founding of Connell. Otterness says that "The sculptures commemorate and reflect on small town life. Animals from the surrounding countryside have come to Columbia Street to interact with people in their everyday activities."

The artist also created a Wild Life Coloring Book that invites children (of all ages) to write stories about and draw pictures of their favorite sculptures by Otterness. It is linked below under "Lesson Plans and Documents" as a PDF.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Corrections and City of Connell.

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.