Where East Meets West is a newly installed sculpture by Robert Summers at Tulsa’s Cyrus Avery Plaza. Cyrus Avery is considered the father of Route 66 and interstate roads in general. Cyrus Avery Plaza is right on Route 66 right on the Arkansas River just outside of downtown Tulsa.
The sculpture done at 135% life size depicts a horsedrawn wagon from the oilfields of west Tulsa encountering an autombile driven by Cyrus Avery. It depicts the transition from the old to the new.
Avery is shown getting out of his car to deal with the situation.
While his daughter tries to hold onto the terrified family cat without getting clawed to shreds. Of course being the good blogger that I am I neglected to get a picture of Avery’s wife.
There are numerous details on the piece that show the care that Summers took. This is Avery’s shoe.
My favorite detail is the dead grasshopper on the grill.
He did a lot of research also. The oilfield tubing in the back of the wagon has special joints called upset tubing. I don’t think your typical artist would know what that is.
More detailing on the wagon. Notice the wood grain and the screw and fitting. Very impressive.
I had never heard of Robert Summers before but it turns out that he has several well known works to his credit. The Dallas Cowboys commissioned him to create the likeness of Tom Landry, pictured above, that is placed just outside Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
So if you driving on Route 66 stop and spend some time at Cyrus Avery Plaza and admire the sculpture installation.
Amazing scultpures. I love the cute grasshopper and the horsedrawn wagon. Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Wonderful sculptures Yogi.
love these .. and how you brought it round to the Cowboys
Terrific post/photos for the day!! The sculpture is indeed amazing! Such incredible detail! Hope your week is off to a great start!! Enjoy!
Fascinating work. Yes the detail is absolutely remarkable.
Wonderful! Love the rearing horse and the grasshopper. The details are really something!
Great details on those sculptures. I especially like the dead grasshopper on the grill too.
very beautiful and interesting shots, I love the vast diversity we share in our world. Your portraits of the details on the statue are especially lovely. cheers
Great piece of work!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
I love it. What a great sculpture.
Wow! What a fascinating sculpture and excellent photography ~ (A Creative Harbor) ^_^
What a wonderful and whimsical sculpture! The petrified cat made me laugh as when I was a child we would often pack our family cat into thr car on trips to my grandmother’s house a few states away. I don’t know how my Dad was able to drive with four children and a cat in the back seat. 🙂
This is really, really impressive.
Interesting sculpture art and story… thanks for sharing!
Namste,
Prem
What a symbolic and amazing sculpture!
Great post Alan. I am aware that there is a new statue on 66 but have not seen it. You have done a fine job of presenting it with the little details that make it special. Now I really want to see it.
Wonderful sculpture! I like the attention to details and the bits of humour.