Inclined (Phelps)

Inclined
A rear view of the 'Inclined' sculpture, showing a muscular figure pushing a large, textured sphere. The figure's detailed back and arm muscles are prominent as they exert effort, emphasizing the theme of perseverance and struggle.
A side view of the sculpture "Inclined"
Map
ArtistDavid Phelps
LocationOklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Coordinates35°27′55″N 97°30′33.9″W / 35.46528°N 97.509417°W / 35.46528; -97.509417

Inclined is a 2000 site-specific artwork by David Phelps, installed in Oklahoma City's Bricktown neighborhood of Oklahoma.[1]

A side view of the 'Inclined' sculpture, showing a muscular figure pushing a large, textured sphere. The figure's expression of intense focus and effort is visible, highlighting the themes of struggle and resilience.
The side view of the Inclined sculpture provides a clear look at the figure's intense focus and the textured surface of the sphere.

Description

The sculpture is made of bronze, steel, and cement.[2] The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer said the artwork "features the upper half torso of a dark-skinned man, double life size, pushing a big concrete sphere up a pair of rails", and has a title with multiple meanings, a characteristic "representative of Phelps' work".[3] Health care consultant Curtis Thomas served as a model for the piece.[3]

Reception

According to The Oklahoman, "Early on, critics questioned whether a sculpture portraying the upper torso of a dark-skinned man pushing a giant sphere up a pair of rails was appropriate for the thriving entertainment district."[3] Multiple members of the Metropolitan Area Projects Citizens Oversight Board's Construction Review Committee felt the sculpture "over-emphasized the civil rights struggle and ignored other historical aspects of Bricktown".[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Inclined". cultureNOW. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  2. ^ "David Phelps: Inclined, 2000". Sculpture.org. International Sculpture Center. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c LACKMEYER, STEVE (February 13, 2000). "BRICKTOWN ART TAKES SHAPE Creative artists put icing on MAPS cake". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  4. ^ Money, Jack (October 22, 1998). "Bricktown Artwork Runs Into Criticism". The Oklahoman. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2020.