David Phelps Figurative 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 Contemporary David Phelps Figurative 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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

VassilWounded cheetah ("guépard blessé") - Bronze sculpture signed by Vassil, numbered, 1999-2006

$3,125

H 5.32 in W 6.3 in D 2.96 in

Wounded cheetah ("guépard blessé") - Bronze sculpture signed by Vassil, numbered

Located in Ixelles, BE

Jean Vassileff, dit « Vassil » est né en 1949 à Drancy. Artiste autodidacte, Vassil s’est intéressé très tôt à la peinture et à la sculpture. Il pratique tout d’abord la taille direc...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Wim van der KraanDaniëlle - 21st Century Bronze Sculpture of a standing Young Girl, 2024

$2,103

H 12.21 in W 1.97 in D 3.94 in

Daniëlle - 21st Century Bronze Sculpture of a standing Young Girl

Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant

Daniëlle 50 x 13 x 10 cm Bronze The theme van der Kraan likes most is to show the growing of young girls. Living in their own world. Like this girl watching something she likes. The...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Elegant Gilt Bronze Sculptures of Dogs, 1990

$6,612

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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Stanisław WysockiVenus - Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art, 2022

$12,022

H 30.32 in W 15.75 in D 9.85 in

Venus - Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art

By Stanisław Wysocki

Located in Warsaw, PL

Dimensions include base STANISŁAW WYSOCKI (b. 1949) Wysocki studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań (1978-1980) and then at the Hochschule der Kunste in Berlin under prof. J....

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Guy Le CorrollerRhinocéros - Bronze sculpture signed by Guy Le Corroller, numbered, Fin du 20e siècle

$1,070

H 3.55 in W 7.09 in D 2.68 in

Rhinocéros - Bronze sculpture signed by Guy Le Corroller, numbered

Located in Ixelles, BE

Ce bronze du sculpteur Guy Le Corroller se présente dans une belle patine brun acajou, richement nuancée. Le modelage du Rhinocéros est expressif et garde l'empreinte de la main du s...

Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antoinette BrietYes! - 21st Century bronze animal sculpture of a orangutan, 2017

$4,207

H 12.21 in W 7.88 in D 4.73 in

Yes! - 21st Century bronze animal sculpture of a orangutan

By Antoinette Briet

Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant

Antoinette Briet (Dutch artist) Yes! 31 x 20 x 14 cm Bronze Antoinette Briet's sculpture can be called both a figurative and an abstract work of art. Her sculpted animals show their...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

VassilAngry Lioness - Bronze sculpture signed by Vassil, 2003, numbered III/IV, 2003

$9,017

H 11.82 in W 13.78 in D 6.3 in

Angry Lioness - Bronze sculpture signed by Vassil, 2003, numbered III/IV

Located in Ixelles, BE

Jean Vassileff, dit " Vassil " est né en 1949 à Drancy. Artiste autodidacte, Vassil s'est intéressé très tôt à la peinture et à la sculpture. Il pratique tout d'abord la taille direc...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Elegant Brass Sculptures of Greyhound Dogs, 1990

$8,415

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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Stanisław WysockiMaya - Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art, 2016

$12,022

H 41.74 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in

Maya - Contemporary bronze sculpture, Abstract & figurative, Polish art

By Stanisław Wysocki

Located in Warsaw, PL

Dimensions include marble base STANISŁAW WYSOCKI (b. 1949) Wysocki studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań (1978-1980) and then at the Hochschule der Kunste in Berlin under p...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Elegant Brass Sculptures of Greyhound Dogs, 1990

$8,415

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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Sarkis Tossonian"Robed II" Bronze Sculpture 10" x 4" x 2" inch by Sarkis Tossonian, 1996

$4,800

H 10 in W 4 in D 2 in

"Robed II" Bronze Sculpture 10" x 4" x 2" inch by Sarkis Tossonian

By Sarkis Tossonian

Located in Culver City, CA

"Robed II" Bronze Sculpture 10" x 4" x 2" inch by Sarkis Tossonian Sarkis Tossoonian was born in Alexandria in 1953. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts/Sculpture in 1979. He...

Category

20th Century Contemporary David Phelps Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Antoinette BrietOrangutan - 21st Century bronze sculpture of a forest Ape, 2017

$4,544

H 9.85 in W 7.88 in D 5.91 in

Orangutan - 21st Century bronze sculpture of a forest Ape

By Antoinette Briet

Located in Nuenen, Noord Brabant

Antoinette Briet (Dutch artist) Orangutan 25 x 20 x 15 cm Bronze Antoinette Briet's sculpture can be called both a figurative and an abstract work of art. Her sculpted animals show ...

Category

2010s Contemporary David Phelps Figurative 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 Figurative 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 Figurative 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 Figurative 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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

David Phelps figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Phelps figurative sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Joshua Goode, Robin Whiteman, and Betsy Enzensberger.