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-BroadleyArlen Reclining, 2014

$12,119

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

Ian Rank-BroadleyTorso of Ryan, 2024

$13,802

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

Ian Rank-BroadleyMan with Arms Raised, 2023

$4,376

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

Ian Rank-BroadleyTroilus at the Spring, 2003

$7,742

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-BroadleyCrouching Youth, 2004

$9,762

H 11.03 in W 5.91 in D 9.85 in

Crouching Youth

Located in London, GB

Bronze Numbered 8/10 28cm × 15cm × 26cm (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

Early 2000s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Ian Rank-BroadleyMan with Hoop, 2023

$4,713

H 12.6 in W 5.91 in D 6.3 in

Man with Hoop

Located in London, GB

Bronze Numbered 2/10 32cm × 15cm × 16cm (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

Ian Rank-BroadleyHelios, God of the Sun, 2021

$12,792

H 29.53 in W 5.91 in D 11.42 in

Helios, God of the Sun

Located in London, GB

Bronze Numbered 4/10 75cm × 15cm × 29cm (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

P. Roch SmithThe Craftsman ed.2/2 - surrealist, canoe, figurative, wood, bronze, sculpture, 2025

$1,050

H 11 in W 7 in D 4 in

The Craftsman ed.2/2 - surrealist, canoe, figurative, wood, bronze, sculpture

By P. Roch Smith

Located in Bloomfield, ON

This bronze figurative tabletop sculpture by Roch Smith features a canoe. Canadian sculptor Roch Smith has turned his attention to a cherished national and historic pastime—canoeing...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

David HostetlerDavid Hostetler, Bather, Gold, Shiny, Torso, Bikini, Female, Polished Bronze, 1992

$16,500

H 28 in W 14 in D 7 in

David Hostetler, Bather, Gold, Shiny, Torso, Bikini, Female, Polished Bronze

By David Hostetler

Located in Nantucket, MA

David Hostetler carved the wood original for this bronze casting in 1960. He used an exotic wood board he obtained at the Brooklyn Naval Yard. You only notice the narrowness of the o...

Category

1990s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Eric ValatBear Cub by Eric Valat - Bronze sculpture of a bear, animal sculpture, fun, baby, 2022

$1,586

H 3.75 in W 4.34 in D 2.56 in

Bear Cub by Eric Valat - Bronze sculpture of a bear, animal sculpture, fun, baby

By Eric Valat

Located in Paris, FR

Bear Cub is a bronze sculpture by contemporary artist Eric Valat, dimensions are 9.5 × 11 × 6.5 cm (3.7 × 4.3 × 2.6 in). The sculpture is signed and numbered, it is part of a limite...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Nichola Theakston''Elysian Hare'', Contemporary Bronze Sculpture Portrait of Hare Beige Blue, 2023

$4,800

H 3.94 in W 10.24 in D 4.34 in

''Elysian Hare'', Contemporary Bronze Sculpture Portrait of Hare Beige Blue

By Nichola Theakston

Located in Utrecht, NL

Nichola Theakston (1967) has established herself as one of the UK’s foremost contemporary sculptors working within the animal genre. With the ''Elysian Hare'' Nichola shows how exq...

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.