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Tom Otterness

American • b. 1952

Biography

American artist Tom Otterness generated considerable controversy in 1977 for his conceptual work Shot Dog Film, notorious for its unblinking violence and unashamed cruelty. The piece established Otterness as a risk-taking artist, not afraid to push the boundaries of what is socially acceptable.

Yet the controversial work would eventually haunt him for years, particularly as shows of violence became scarce in an increasingly modern society. Veering off in a diametrically opposite direction, Otterness started working with lost wax and bronze to create public art installations. Often inhabiting parks, center squares and transportation infrastructures, Otterness' sculptures tend towards the comedic. They are cartoonish and cheeky, nodding at art history, pop culture, capitalism, greed and satire. To date, Otterness is one of the most successful public artists world-wide.

Insights

Otterness is perhaps most well-known as the artist behind Life Underground, 2001, a permanent public installation of bite-size, cartoonish statuettes in bronze, including alligators and characters with money bags, that populate New York's 14th Street/Eighth Avenue subway station. The project was commissioned by the MTA's Arts for Transit program for $200,000.
In the late 1970s, Otterness played an essential role in the formation of CoLab (Collaborative Projects), an interdisciplinary group of artists advocating for the politicization of artist practice and civic engagement.
He is represented by Marlborough Gallery in New York.

"I try to talk about the things nobody talks about, and do it in the sculpture."

Past Lots

13No Reserve
Tom Otterness
Wrestlers II
Estimate $500 - 700
Sold for $563
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217
Tom Otterness
Giant
Estimate $1,500 - 2,500
Sold for $1,875
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92
Tom Otterness
The Rich Visionaries pair (A and B)
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $30,000
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193
Tom Otterness
Nero's Apartment House
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
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194
Tom Otterness
Podium Figure
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
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448
Tom Otterness
Jack and Jill
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $75,000
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449
Tom Otterness
Sphere Holding Cube
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $100,000
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271
Tom Otterness
Lovers
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $10,625
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171
Tom Otterness
Two works: (i) Surprised Worker; (ii) Everyday Worker
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
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238
Tom Otterness
Lovers
Estimate $6,000 - 9,000
Sold for $9,375
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102
Tom Otterness
Cone Figure; and Untitled (14th street)
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
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73
Tom Otterness
Free Speech
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $16,250
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228
Tom Otterness
Earrings
Estimate $800 - 1,200
Sold for $2,750
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35
Tom Otterness
Foot
Estimate $6,000 - 9,000
Sold for $6,875
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36
Tom Otterness
Small Visionary
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $16,250
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86
Tom Otterness
Free Speech
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $21,250
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224
Tom Otterness
Cone Figure
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $13,750
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225
Tom Otterness
Death Figure
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $16,250
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28
Tom Otterness
Death Figure
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $20,000
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292
Tom Otterness
Man & Angel II
Estimate $800 - 1,200
Sold for $625
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293
Tom Otterness
Bookends
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000
Sold for $500
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452
Tom Otterness
The Rich and The Workers
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $6,250
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453
Tom Otterness
Hand and Chain
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
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