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

Joy BrownTwo Together, 2016

$14,000

H 15 in W 9 in D 9 in

Two Together

By Joy Brown

Located in Greenwich, CT

Artist Statement: My figures speak to me of that peaceful place in myself - calm, open, aware. My art reflects the influence of my childhood in Japan and of the rigorous discipline...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Nando KallweitLisette II - Figurative Abstract Bronze Sculpture for Shelf or Table, 2025

$1,545

H 6 in W 5 in D 4 in

Lisette II - Figurative Abstract Bronze Sculpture for Shelf or Table

By Nando Kallweit

Located in Los Angeles, CA

German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Jesus Curia PerezSnow - Hooded Bronze Figure with Skis, Light Blue Patina, 2023

$6,850

H 29.5 in W 8.75 in D 7 in

Snow - Hooded Bronze Figure with Skis, Light Blue Patina

By Jesus Curia Perez

Located in Chicago, IL

Jesús Curiá Perez Snow bronze and methacrylate 29.50h x 8.75w x 7d in 74.93h x 22.23w x 17.78d cm ed. 1/8 JCP057 Jesús Curiá's sculptures arouse something more than purely aesthetic...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Margot HomanDionysos Tors Torso Bronze Sculpture Classical Mythology Contemporary Art, 2012

$93,577

H 53.15 in W 15.75 in

Dionysos Tors Torso Bronze Sculpture Classical Mythology Contemporary Art

By Margot Homan

Located in Utrecht, NL

Dionysisch Tors Bronze Sculpture Classical Mythology Contemporary Art The sculptures of Margot Homan (1956, Oss, NL) show a perfect command of the...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Nando KallweitHera II - Modern Figurative Abstract Bronze Sculpture for Shelf or Table, 2025

$1,895

H 12 in W 3 in D 3 in

Hera II - Modern Figurative Abstract Bronze Sculpture for Shelf or Table

By Nando Kallweit

Located in Los Angeles, CA

German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with an elegant and graceful modern appeal. Seemingly disparate cultures inspire Kallweit; the streng...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Nando KallweitLuna - Modern Figurative Abstract Bronze Sculpture for Shelf or Table, 2025

$1,900

H 13 in W 9 in D 4 in

Luna - Modern Figurative Abstract Bronze Sculpture for Shelf or Table

By Nando Kallweit

Located in Los Angeles, CA

German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Seemingly disparate cultures inspire Kallweit; the streng...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Concetto Pozzati 1Italy O-pera by Concetto Pozzati Figurative Bronze Sculpture 1989, 1989

$1,158

H 7.88 in W 6.7 in D 3.94 in

Italy O-pera by Concetto Pozzati Figurative Bronze Sculpture 1989

By Concetto Pozzati 1

Located in Brescia, IT

Concetto Pozzati was born in Padova, Italy in 1935. He is living since 1949 in Bologna where is was holder of the chair of Painting at the Accademia di Belle Arti. He has been exhibi...

Category

1980s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Pierre YermiaFeline VI by Pierre Yermia - Contemporary animal sculpture, bronze, cat, elegant, 2022

$9,708

H 11.42 in W 32.68 in D 5.91 in

Feline VI by Pierre Yermia - Contemporary animal sculpture, bronze, cat, elegant

By Pierre Yermia

Located in Paris, FR

Feline VI is a bronze sculpture by French contemporary artist Pierre Yermia, dimensions are 29 × 83 × 15 cm (11.4 × 32.7 × 5.9 in). The sculpture is signed and numbered, it is part ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Carlo RampazziSeating Group Green Velvet, 2007

$21,055

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

Antoinette BrietCouple - 21st Century bronze sculpture of 2 People, 2025

$4,094

H 9.85 in W 4.34 in D 3.15 in

Couple - 21st Century bronze sculpture of 2 People

By Antoinette Briet

Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant

Antoinette Briet (Dutch artist) Couple 25 x 11 x 8 cm Bronze Antoinette Briet's sculpture can be called both a figurative and an abstract work of art. Her sculpted animals show thei...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Margot HomanDionysos Portret Portrait Bronze Sculpture Mythology Classical Contemporary, 2011

$23,394

H 18.51 in W 15.75 in

Dionysos Portret Portrait Bronze Sculpture Mythology Classical Contemporary

By Margot Homan

Located in Utrecht, NL

Dionysisch Portret Portrait Bronze Sculpture Mythology Classical Contemporary The sculptures of Margot Homan (1956, Oss, NL) show a perfect command of the old craft of modelling and...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Margot HomanAnima Animus Bronze Sculpture Contemporary Connected Connection In Stock, 2011

$38,992

H 31.11 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in

Anima Animus Bronze Sculpture Contemporary Connected Connection In Stock

By Margot Homan

Located in Utrecht, NL

Anima Animus Bronze Sculpture Contemporary Connected Connection In Stock The sculptures of Margot Homan (1956, Oss) show a perfect command of the old craft of modelling and sculptin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary 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.