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Stack (work of art)

Artwork Info

Created
2011
Artist
Peter Oakley
Nationality
American
Birth/Death
1974-
Dimensions
overall:
15 x 24 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches (38.1 x 62.2 x 52.1 centimeters)
Sculpture:
12 x 18 1/2 x 10 inches (30.5 x 47 x 25.4 centimeters)
Base:
3 x 24 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches (7.6 x 62.2 x 52.1 centimeters)

Credit

Purchased with funds from the William R. Roberson Jr. and Frances M. Roberson Endowed Fund for North Carolina Art

Object Number
2012.10
Culture
American North Carolina
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Modern

Key Ideas

  • Peter Oakley is a North Carolina-based artist who creates realistic-looking marble sculptures of everyday items.
  • This is a marble sculpture of open Styrofoam takeout boxes stacked in a pile. 
  • Marble is generally associated with ancient sculptures of gods and goddesses and works by Renaissance artists. 
  • Many of Oakley’s sculptures depict ordinary objects that are used for a short period of time and then end up in landfills for many years. By sculpting them in marble, he gives temporary items a permanent form.

 

Learn More

Peter Oakley is a stone sculptor who grew up in the North Carolina mountains. He is known for creating life-sized marble sculptures that fool the viewer’s eye. His sculptures include ordinary objects like bars of soap, egg cartons, and Styrofoam takeout boxes. Stack is a marble sculpture of Styrofoam takeout boxes that are stacked together. Styrofoam containers are not usually recycled, so they are used once and then thrown away. Oakley gives these temporary items a sense of permanence by depicting them in marble. 

Marble is a durable material that can last for thousands of years. It is often associated with ancient Greek sculptures and works by Renaissance masters. Oakley says he likes to use marble because of these associations. These associations are contrasted, however, by the things he chooses to sculpt in such a durable medium. There is a sense of playfulness in his sculptures, but there is also a deeper meaning to consider.

While there is humor in my work, the humor serves to lead into some very serious lines of thought.

Peter Oakley

Oakley also sculpts objects from our recent industrial past, like sewing machines, typewriters, and cassette tapes. He considers these objects the “unsung heroes” of modern life. His sculptures explore the relationships people have with technology and the power that technology has over humans.

 

tags: NC art, NC artist, North Carolina, contemporary sculpture

Additional Resources

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Images

  • A white marble sculpture of open Styrofoam takeout boxes stacked on top of a gray, rectangle-shaped base.

    Stack

  • A white marble sculpture of open Styrofoam takeout boxes stacked on top of a gray, rectangle-shaped base.

    Stack