David Phelps Sculptures

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 David Phelps Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Thomas JunghansBarabbas Bronze Sculpture Unique Figurative Abstract Head Contemporary, 2015-2020

$11,955

H 17.72 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in

Barabbas Bronze Sculpture Unique Figurative Abstract Head Contemporary

By Thomas Junghans

Located in Utrecht, NL

Barabbas Bronze Sculpture Unique Figurative Abstract Head Portrait Contemporary Barabbas is a bronze figurative, abstract head, portrait. Junghans (1956, Recklinghausen) creates abs...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Fernando BoteroAfter Botero Bull Bronze Sculpture, Contemporary, 20th Century, Ed. 50, 2025

$790Sale Price|59% Off

H 8 in W 10 in D 7.5 in

After Botero Bull Bronze Sculpture, Contemporary, 20th Century, Ed. 50

By Fernando Botero

Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México

After Fernando Botero – Bull Bronze Sculpture Edition of 50 This beautifully executed bronze sculpture is an After Fernando Botero work, created in fait...

Category

20th Century Contemporary David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Guillaume CoustouCheval de Marly, Bronze Equestrian Sculpture by Guillaume Coustou

$3,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 22 in W 19 in D 9 in

Cheval de Marly, Bronze Equestrian Sculpture by Guillaume Coustou

By Guillaume Coustou

Located in Long Island City, NY

Artist: After Guillaume Coustou, French (1677-1746) Title: Cheval de Marly Medium: Bronze Sculpture, signature inscribed Size: 22 x 19 x 9 in. (55.88 x 48.26 x 22.86 cm) This be...

Category

Early 20th Century Romantic David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Fernando BoteroDancer Bronze Sculpture After Botero, Contemporary, Ed. 50, 2024

$798Sale Price|40% Off

H 15 in W 9 in D 7 in

Dancer Bronze Sculpture After Botero, Contemporary, Ed. 50

By Fernando Botero

Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México

After Fernando Botero – DANCER BRONZE Bronze Sculpture Edition of 50 This beautifully executed bronze sculpture is an After Fernando Botero work, created in faithful homage to the...

Category

20th Century Contemporary David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Emma MaidenBird II (Light), 2024 - Minimalist Contemporary Bronze Bird Sculpture, 2024

$4,455

H 9.45 in W 8.27 in D 2.37 in

Bird II (Light), 2024 - Minimalist Contemporary Bronze Bird Sculpture

By Emma Maiden

Located in Kingsclere, GB

Emma Maiden has exhibited her sculptures throughtout the UK since the mid-1990s, with shows including The Fine Art Society, London; the RWA Bristol; West Wales Arts Centre, Fishguard...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

John Bennett"HORSE TAMER" BRONZE SCULPTURE, 20th Century

$7,200

H 22 in W 39 in D 11 in

"HORSE TAMER" BRONZE SCULPTURE

Located in San Antonio, TX

John Bennett (Born 1952) Fredericksburg, Texas Artist Image Size: 22 x 39 across x 11 Medium: Bronze "Horse Tamer" John Bennett (Born 1952) John Bennett was designated Texas State Ar...

Category

20th Century Modern David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

ErteElegance, 1980

$38,000

H 16 in W 13 in D 6 in

Elegance

Located in Fort Washington, PA

A bronze sculpture of an elegant woman walking a greyhound on a leash. From the limited edition of 250. This is #226 out of 250. Stamped with signature, number, and "RKP Inl. Corp....

Category

20th Century David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Emma MaidenSummer Bird II (Large), 2023 - Bold Contemporary Bronze Sculpture of Bird, 2023

$18,797

H 24.81 in W 20.08 in D 5.52 in

Summer Bird II (Large), 2023 - Bold Contemporary Bronze Sculpture of Bird

By Emma Maiden

Located in Kingsclere, GB

Emma Maiden has exhibited her sculptures throughtout the UK since the mid-1990s, with shows including The Fine Art Society, London; the RWA Bristol; West Wales Arts Centre, Fishguard...

Category

2010s David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Leon SalatGoalkeeper, C. 1925

$1,500

H 15 in W 3 in D 3 in

Goalkeeper

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An Art Deco bronze with a rich chocolate brown patina of a figure of a goalkeeper. The figure is stretching up to parry away the football, on an integral hexagonal base. C. 1925, sig...

Category

1920s Art Deco David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Aimé-Jules DalouDesperate

$10,896

H 7.76 in W 3.35 in D 5.12 in

Desperate

By Aimé-Jules Dalou

Located in PARIS, FR

Desperate by Jules DALOU (1838-1902) A bronze sculpture with a nuanced dark brownish-green patina Signed on the base " Dalou " Cast by " Susse Frères Editeurs Paris " (with the fou...

Category

Late 19th Century French School David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Danusia WurmBackward Glance, Contemporary Bronze Goat, 2018

$985

H 7.49 in W 3.94 in

Backward Glance, Contemporary Bronze Goat

By Danusia Wurm

Located in Brecon, Powys

Using the lost wax technique, all Danuta's bronzes are one-off originals Patenated Bronze On oak "The ripped raw edges of Elizabeth Frink; the measu...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Danusia Wurm"Strider", Contemporary Bronze Horse, 2018

$1,450

H 6.7 in W 9.06 in

"Strider", Contemporary Bronze Horse

By Danusia Wurm

Located in Brecon, Powys

Using the lost wax technique, all Danuta's bronzes are one-off originals Patenated Bronze on Oak Block 9.5" x 4" x 3" "The ripped raw edges of Elizabeth Frink...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Sculptures

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 Sculptures

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 Sculptures

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 Sculptures

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

David Phelps sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Phelps sculptures 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 sculptures, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Judy Engel, Seena Donneson, and Curtis Jeré. David Phelps sculptures 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.