Tom Otterness

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November 15, 2008

The artist creates a sculpture with kids
The artist creates a sculpture with kids

Tom Otterness creates wire sculptures, 2008. Photograph by Stina Puotinen

Tom Otterness’s public sculptures and installations can be seen throughout New York City, including the subway stop at 14th Street and Eighth Avenue. Otterness shares Alexander calder’s interest in sculpture and performance by creating playful and sometimes humorous narratives with his own work. The artist led kids and parents in a gallery tour and art-making activity influenced by his own process as well as the exhibition Alexander calder: The Paris Years, 1926-1933. Otterness shared some of his works in progress with families, bringing in a plaster mold and showing images of his finished work. Families were asked to create wire sculpture portrait busts inspired by Alexander calder.

Visit Tom Otterness’s website

The workshop

  • The artist talks with families

    Tom Otterness with families in the galleries, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist demonstrates a sketch

    Tom Otterness sketches with families in the galleries, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist discussing families

    Tom Otterness with families in the galleries, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist drawing with pencil

    Tom Otterness sketches with kids in the galleries, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist looking at a sculpture

    Tom Otterness with families in the galleries, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist draws with a child

    Tom Otterness with kids in the galleries, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist shows off his artwork

    Tom Otterness with families in the studio, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist working with kids

    Tom Otterness works with kids in the studio, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist collaborates with a kid

    Tom Otterness works with kidsin the studio, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • Kids work with the artist

    Tom Otterness with families in the studio, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist inspecting a child's project

    Tom Otterness works with families in the studio, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

  • The artist helps a child with their sculpture

    Tom Otterness with families in the studio, 2008. Photographs by Stina Puotinen

On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

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