Alec Monopoly Rich Airways

In his sculptures, murals, prints and canvases, Alec Monopoly (born Alec Andon) invites his viewers to simultaneously critique and buy into ideas of celebrity, money, and fame. 

Monopoly often depicts Rich Uncle Pennybags, the suited mascot of the board game that inspired the artist’s moniker. The mustachioed character, who frequently carries a money bag or demonstrates other conspicuous markers of wealth throughout the artist’s wry work, becomes a stand-in for capitalist greed. 

Monopoly has also incorporated pop culture figures and characters including Bob Dylan, Patrick Bateman, Scrooge McDuck and Richie Rich into his street art practice. He has enjoyed exhibitions in Miami, Moscow and other cities.

Find original Alec Monopoly sculptures, prints and other art on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Baldwin Contemporary)

Figurative sculptures mix reality and imagination, with the most common muse being the human body. Animals are also inspirations for these sculptures, along with forms found in nature.

While figurative sculpture dates back over 35,000 years, the term came into popularity in the 20th century to distinguish it from abstract art. It was aligned with the Expressionist movement in that many of its artists portrayed reality but in a nonnaturalistic and emotional way. In the 1940s, Alberto Giacometti — a Swiss-born artist who was interested in African art, Cubism and Surrealism — created now-iconic representational sculptures of the human figure, and after World War II, figurative sculpture as a movement continued to flourish in Europe.

Lucian Freud and Francis Bacon were some of the leading figurative artists during this period. Artists like Jeff Koons and Maurizio Cattelan propelled the evolution of figurative sculpture into the 21st century.

Figurative sculptures can be whimsical, uncanny and beautiful. Their materials range from stone and wood to metal and delicate ceramics. Even in smaller sizes, the sculptures make bold statements. A bronze sculpture by Salvador Dalí enhances a room; a statuesque bull by Jacques Owczarek depicts strength with its broad chest while its thin legs speak of fragility. Figurative sculptures allow viewers to see what is possible when life is reimagined.

Browse 1stDibs for an extensive collection of figurative sculptures and find the next addition to your collection.