Tom Claassen

Tom Claassen is famous for his ability to manipulate hard materials like plaster, metal, and wood to evoke a pleasant softness and roundness, particularly in his depictions of cloth and flesh. While he makes work in all sizes, Claassen is best known for his public sculptures and installations, frequently featuring animal or human subjects, like birds, rabbits, standing women, biomorphic worms, or his invented “wobbledogs”. Claassen’s sculptures have a simplicity that borders on cartoonish or toy-like abstraction, but remain identifiable through their postures and recognizable attributes. The works share the sense of scale and whimsy commonly associated with Claes Oldenburg and Henry Moore.