Tom Otterness

Tom Otterness, born in 1952 in Wichita, Kansas, is an American sculptor renowned for his public artworks. He moved to New York City in 1970 to study at the Art Students League and participated in the Whitney Museum of American Art's Independent Study Program in 1973. In 1977, he co-founded the artist collective Colab (Collaborative Projects). Otterness's sculptures, often inspired by Depression-era cartoons and ancient texts, are commonly found in public spaces such as parks, plazas, subway stations, libraries, courthouses, and museums. Notable works include the "Life Underground" installation at the 14th Street – Eighth Avenue subway station in New York City and "The Real World" in Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City. His art combines elements of capitalist realism with social commentary, presented through a playful and accessible visual language. In 1994, Otterness was elected as a member of the National Academy Museum.