Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Tom Otterness moved to New York where he studied at the Art Students League in 1970 and at the Independent Study Program of the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1973. Although trained in sculpture, Otterness also experimented in film-making with the artists' group known as "Colab" (Collaborative Projects), focusing on punk art and depictions of aggression. His most well-known works are monumental, sculpture-based public art pieces as well as palm-sized sculptures, which often depict human figures, critique American society by addressing race, sex, class and money.
Photo by Tim Fulda