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

Erekle TsuladzeGeorgian Contemporary Sculpture by Erekle Tsuladze - Panda 1, 2017

$4,600

H 25.6 in W 22.05 in D 22.45 in

Georgian Contemporary Sculpture by Erekle Tsuladze - Panda 1

By Erekle Tsuladze

Located in Paris, IDF

Artificial stone & nickel bronze

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Pair of Elegant Brass Sculptures of Greyhound Dogs, 1990

$8,026

H 19.69 in W 43.31 in D 9.85 in

Pair of Elegant Brass Sculptures of Greyhound Dogs

Located in Rome, IT

Fine pair of gilt bronze Greyhound dog sculptures. The item will be well-suited to either an indoor or outdoor setting. Excellent condition.

Category

1990s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Elegant Brass Sculpture of Greyhound Dog, 1990

$4,008

H 19.69 in W 43.31 in D 9.85 in

Elegant Brass Sculpture of Greyhound Dog

Located in Rome, IT

Fine gilt bronze Greyhound dog sculpture. The item will be well-suited to either an indoor or outdoor setting. Excellent condition. The price is for 1 item

Category

1990s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Elegant Gilt Bronze Sculptures of Dogs, 1990

$6,298

H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 21.66 in

Pair of Elegant Gilt Bronze Sculptures of Dogs

Located in Rome, IT

Fine pair of gilt bronze dog sculptures. The item will be well-suited to either an indoor or outdoor setting.

Category

1990s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Peggy Mach“Stretching Ballerina”, Circa 1990

$2,200

H 10.75 in W 9 in D 6 in

“Stretching Ballerina”

Located in Southampton, NY

Here for your consideration is a beautiful bronze sculpture of a stretching ballerina by the well known American sculptor Peggy Mach. Signed “Peggy Mach” on bottom back of sculpture....

Category

1990s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Carlo RampazziSeating Group Green Velvet, 2007

$20,640

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

Hunt SlonemTompkins, bronze sculpture, 2024

$11,500

H 18 in W 8 in D 8 in

Tompkins, bronze sculpture

By Hunt Slonem

Located in Miami Beach, FL

Hunt Slonem included in 200+ museums worldwide Bronze, chrome mirrored finish, signed and dated etched along base

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Igor LyCobra - Sculpture en bronze d'Igor Ly, signé et numéroté, 2025

$4,472

H 9.85 in W 11.82 in D 5.52 in

Cobra - Sculpture en bronze d'Igor Ly, signé et numéroté

Located in Ixelles, BE

Igor Ly Cobra Bronze à patine brune H. : 25 cm ; L. : 30 cm ; P. : 16 cm Signé Numéroté « 5/8 » Cachet de fondeur Bodin Ce bronze original, signé et numéroté, représente un cobra dr...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Elegant Brass Sculptures of Greyhound Dogs, 1990

$8,016

H 19.69 in W 43.31 in D 9.85 in

Pair of Elegant Brass Sculptures of Greyhound Dogs

Located in Rome, IT

Fine pair of gilt bronze Greyhound dog sculptures. The item will be well-suited to either an indoor or outdoor setting. Excellent condition.

Category

1990s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Amazing Brass Sculpture of French Bulldog, 2020

$4,008

H 15.75 in W 25.6 in D 11.82 in

Amazing Brass Sculpture of French Bulldog

Located in Rome, IT

Fine gilt bronze French Bulldog sculpture. The item will be well-suited to either an indoor or outdoor setting. Excellent condition.

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Elegant Gilt Bronze Sculptures of Dogs, 1990

$6,306

H 35.44 in W 15.75 in D 21.66 in

Pair of Elegant Gilt Bronze Sculptures of Dogs

Located in Rome, IT

Fine pair of gilt bronze dog sculptures. The item will be well-suited to either an indoor or outdoor setting.

Category

1990s Contemporary David Phelps Art

Materials

Bronze

Yves Louis CastelLionne et son lionceau - Sculpture en bronze d'Yves Louis Castel, 1/8, 1998, 1998

$2,293

H 3.63 in W 7.37 in D 4.73 in

Lionne et son lionceau - Sculpture en bronze d'Yves Louis Castel, 1/8, 1998

Located in Ixelles, BE

Yves Louis Castel, sculpteur français Lionne et son lionceau Bronzes à patine brune Lionne – H. : 9,2 cm ; L. : 18,7 cm ; P. : 12 cm Lionceau – H. : 3,4 cm ; L. : 5,2 cm Signé « Y. L...

Category

1990s 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.