The artist who created the widely discussed new statue outside of Gaylord Hall has faced controversy over animal abuse in the past.
In 1977, Tom Otterness, the artist of the covered wagon statue installed on OU’s campus on Oct. 17, adopted a dog from an animal shelter, tied it to a fence, shot it and recorded a video of it, the Huffington Post reported in 2011. The recording was called “Shot Dog Film,” and it played on a continuous loop during a gallery show.
Otterness has run into controversy because of the incident. In 2011, he was given a $750,000 commission to create 59 bronze sculptures in a San Francisco Central Subway station, and a petition was created to strip Otterness of his commission, according to the Huffington Post article.
Otterness did not apologize for his film until 2007 because people continued to bring up this issue as the years went on and more of his sculptures were being put into place, The Observer reports.
“Thirty years ago when I was 25 years old, I made a film in which I shot a dog,” Otterness said in a statement to The Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 2007. “It was an indefensible act that I am deeply sorry for. Many of us have experienced profound emotional turmoil and despair. Few have made the mistake I made. I hope people can find it in their hearts to forgive me.”
In addition to the controversy surrounding Otterness, many students have had mixed feelings about the appearance of the statue outside of Gaylord Hall. Otterness previously told The Daily that he focuses on a cartoon-like feel and style in his sculpting.
