David Phelps Art

American, b. 1956

David Phelps grew up on a farm on Roberts Island, part of the Delta in the Central Valley of California. The farmyard was an ancient burial ground and from a very young age his spirituality was rooted in the dirt of the farm. He remembers a constant worry about drought. And then when it rained, everyone worried about high water. This constant ebb and flow of the environment affected the family dynamics as well as his own personal development. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1979 from Humboldt State University, Arcata, California; his Masters of Fine Art in 1994 from the University of Oklahoma. After receiving his MFA in 1984 David continued sculpting while doing exhibit design work for the Omniplex Science Museum in Oklahoma City. "At the outset, I thought that by combining opposites, I could infuse my art with the power of that tension. I also realized that this imagery is strengthened because the viewer has to put it together. There is a participatory element with a positive outcome. When I'm working on an image and start developing it, I think about the edges as they intersect with the plane. I see ways to change them to get the whole image to focus. It's the difference between a strong piece and an average one." Phelps' sculpture evokes reaction no matter what the proportion. The large ones (two or three times life size) are light, the small ones, solid. All are accessible, yet there is content a plenty for those who require it. Because of the dynamics of opposites, the sculpture excites both visually and intellectually. In 1987 David was awarded a prestigious six-month residency at the Kohler Co. Arts in Industry program where he sculpted in both vitreous china and cast iron. After completing the Kohler program he began large-scale public art commissions and sales of large bronzes, both of which are continuing to date. From 1992 through 1995 David taught sculpture at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Oklahoma and has since been focused solely on sculpting in his studio. David Phelps has created monumental sculptures for more than twenty years. Public art commissions have come from across the United States including for McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada at the International airport. The sculpture is one of "Clark County Wildlife" pieces created by David Phelps and displayed the airport terminal. His figurative bronzes are in notable international public and private collections including St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, and Barbie Benton and George Gradow, Aspen, CO. Granada Park, in Phoenix, AZ and the City of Palm Desert, CA. His sculptures appear to emerge from the ground and have surfaces that look like dried, cracked mud. The figurative works are serenely contemplative and imbued with a dry, subtle humor.

Artist: David Phelps

David Phelps"Pastoral Dreamer" 2X LifeSize, boy relaxing with his hands behind his head, 2025

$88,000

"Pastoral Dreamer" 2X LifeSize, boy relaxing with his hands behind his head

By David Phelps

Located in Edgartown, MA

David grew up on a family farm in California. He attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse on Roberts Island where his elementary teacher, Mrs. MacIntosh, taught him first...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

David Phelps"Oarsman" two piece bronze sculpture of man in rowboat, 2025

$2,800

"Oarsman" two piece bronze sculpture of man in rowboat

By David Phelps

Located in Edgartown, MA

David grew up on a family farm in California. He attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse on Roberts Island where his elementary teacher, Mrs. MacIntosh, taught him first...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Yann GuillonPetite Acrobate by Yann Guillon - Dancer bronze sculpture, ballet, woman, 2012

$1,645

H 7.49 in W 6.3 in D 1.58 in

Petite Acrobate by Yann Guillon - Dancer bronze sculpture, ballet, woman

By Yann Guillon

Located in Paris, FR

Petite Acrobate is a bronze sculpture by contemporary artist Yann Guillon, dimensions are 19 × 16 × 4 cm (7.5 × 6.3 × 1.6 in). Dimensions of the metal base: 11 x 8 x 8 cm (4,3 x 3,1 ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ian Rank-BroadleyTroilus at the Spring, 2003

$7,753

H 17.33 in W 3.55 in D 13 in

Troilus at the Spring

Located in London, GB

Bronze Numbered 2/10 44cm × 9cm × 33cm (incl. base) The young prince Troilus goes to water his horse at the spring unaware of the ambush, which Achilles has prepared for him. A mome...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ian Rank-BroadleyMan with Arms Raised, 2023

$4,382

H 12.6 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in

Man with Arms Raised

Located in London, GB

Bronze Numbered 1/10 32cm × 10cm × 10cm (incl. base) Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all UK an...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ser Uang HuangA Second Glance, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture, 2011

$3,180

H 24.81 in W 9.45 in D 8.27 in

A Second Glance, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture

Located in Taichung, TW

Part of Ser Uang Huang’s Childhood Series. Gazing captures the playful innocence of childhood through the image of a boy forming binoculars with his hands, smiling as he peers into t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ryszard PiotrowskiWoman - XXI century Contemporary figurative bronze sculpture, Classical, Realism, 2019

$4,347

H 6.11 in W 12.21 in D 6.7 in

Woman - XXI century Contemporary figurative bronze sculpture, Classical, Realism

By Ryszard Piotrowski

Located in Warsaw, PL

RYSZARD PIOTROWSKI (born in 1952) Sculptor. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. His works include intimate, small forms in marble, bronze and silver. He specializes...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Ser Uang HuangChildhood, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture, 2017

$5,140

H 10.63 in W 23.63 in D 4.73 in

Childhood, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture

Located in Taichung, TW

Part of Ser Uang Huang’s Childhood Series. Childhood is a work full of charm and playful creativity. The boy and girl figures are separate from the log-like base, allowing viewers to...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ser Uang HuangMidst of Waiting, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture, 2017

$3,180

H 16.15 in W 5.52 in D 4.73 in

Midst of Waiting, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture

Located in Taichung, TW

Part of Ser Uang Huang’s Travelers Series. Huang has a gift for capturing fleeting yet profound moments from everyday life, and Midst of Waiting is one such example. Waiting is an in...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ser Uang HuangHarmony, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture, 2019

$9,700

H 15.36 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in

Harmony, Contemporary Bronze Figure Sculpture

Located in Taichung, TW

Harmony is a whimsical and lighthearted work that captures the playful spirit of a group chorus. The three figures, each with a distinct mouth shape, appear to be singing in differen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Carlo RampazziSeating Group Green Velvet, 2007

$21,151

H 43.71 in W 98.43 in D 35.44 in

Seating Group Green Velvet

Located in Zug, CH

CARLO RAMPAZZI (b. 1949) Seating Group 2007 Sofa covered in green mohair velvet, supported by a bronze structure slide; Armchairs with shell artisan decoration, with green Haute Cout...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ian Rank-BroadleyArlen Reclining, 2014

$12,136

H 8.27 in W 10.24 in D 22.45 in

Arlen Reclining

Located in London, GB

Bronze Numbered 4/10 21cm × 26cm × 57cm Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all UK and Commonwealt...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Stanisław WysockiA lady. Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art, 2024

$5,875

H 23.23 in W 6.7 in D 4.73 in

A lady. Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art

By Stanisław Wysocki

Located in Warsaw, PL

Contemporary bronze sculpture on marble base by Polish artist Stan Wysocki. Artwork comes from limited edition of 8. Sculpture depicts female figure filtered through geometric, synth...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Ian Rank-BroadleyTorso of Ryan, 2024

$13,822

H 22.45 in W 4.73 in D 15.75 in

Torso of Ryan

Located in London, GB

Bronze Numbered 2/10 57cm × 18cm × 40cm (incl. base) Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all UK an...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Previously Available Items

David Phelps"Oarsman" two piece bronze sculpture of man in rowboat

Sold

H 7 in W 17 in D 11 in

"Oarsman" two piece bronze sculpture of man in rowboat

By David Phelps

Located in Edgartown, MA

David grew up on a family farm in California. He attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse on Roberts Island where his elementary teacher, Mrs. MacIntosh, taught him first...

Category

2010s David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

David Phelps"Oarsman" two piece bronze sculpture of a man rowing a boat

Sold

H 7 in W 17 in D 11 in

"Oarsman" two piece bronze sculpture of a man rowing a boat

By David Phelps

Located in Edgartown, MA

David grew up on a family farm in California. He attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse on Roberts Island where his elementary teacher, Mrs. MacIntosh, taught him first...

Category

2010s David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

David PhelpsPastoral Dreamer X2

Sold

H 36 in W 128 in D 67 in

Pastoral Dreamer X2

By David Phelps

Located in Edgartown, MA

David grew up on a family farm in California. He attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse on Roberts Island where his elementary teacher, Mrs. MacIntosh, taught him firs...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

David PhelpsOarsman

Sold

H 7 in W 7 in D 11 in

Oarsman

By David Phelps

Located in Edgartown, MA

David grew up on a family farm in California. He attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse on Roberts Island where his elementary teacher, Mrs. MacIntosh, taught him first...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

David Phelps art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Phelps art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by David Phelps in bronze, metal and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1980s and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large David Phelps art, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Seena Donneson, Judy Engel, and Curtis Jeré. David Phelps art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,000 and tops out at $2,100, while the average work can sell for $2,050.