A new statue depicting a covered wagon pulled by a bull was installed outside Gaylord Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 17.
The statue is titled Covered Wagon and was created by artist Tom Otterness, according to a statement from Mark White, director of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, sent through OU Public Affairs.
Otterness is a New York sculptor whose work has appeared in the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim Museum and other international exhibits, according to his website. He has completed at least three dozen public commissions in the U.S., his website says, and public art is his focus.
The sculpture was donated to the university by an alum in the previous academic year, according to OU's statement.
Otterness said the statue was originally commissioned a few years ago in Walla Walla, Washington, but the donor liked it and felt it would make a good fit at OU.
Otterness added that he focuses on a cartoon-like feel and style in his sculpting, which can be seen in the elements of this sculpture—examples include the boots that the oxen is wearing and portrayals of the people in the sculpture.
“I didn’t expect the connection with Texas, it wasn’t something I was conscious of,” Otterness said.
“But I’d like to remind people that the longhorns are all strapped up pulling the wagon, and the gal’s the one in control. So don’t worry about Texas.”
The appearance of the statue has sparked intrigue from students and other passersby.
Journalism junior Molly Kruse said she had mixed feelings about the statue.
“It’s a little odd, actually, it feels kind of like a kid thing,” Kruse said. “The cow is wearing boots? I like it but, I feel like it maybe doesn’t go with the aesthetic of the other statues here.”
Madeline Hellwig, creative media production and Chinese junior, said she had a similar sentiment about the new statue.
“I’m kind of confused by it because I don’t know if we were ever provided the context for the statue,” Hellwig said. “I’ve been just mystified, but it’s very amusing and I support it.”
Kruse and Hellwig both said the lack of public clarification left them to nearly feel that the statue could have been a practical joke.
“I really thought this was a college prank from a Texas school,” Hellwig said. “Like they came over here and installed it just to mess with us.”
This story was updated at 6:45 p.m. Thursday to add comments from Otterness.
