Joe Barrington (b.1957)

Longhorn Steer (Rusty), 2008

2008.003.001

Welded steel

Gift of Joe Barrington

 

Questions to consider when visiting Joe Barrington’s sculpture Longhorn Steer (Rusty):

 

• What kind of animal is Rusty? 

• Why do you think the artist decided on Rusty as his subject for the sculpture?

• Why do you think the artist made Rusty so large?

• This sculpture is really untitled, but the longhorn is affectionately called Rusty at the museum.  How do you think Rusty got his name?

• Is Rusty realistic?  Why or why not?

 

Joe Barrington is a sculptor who employs a sense of humor along with his welding torch, he completed Rusty in only six days.  His sculpture is drawn from a lifetime of living in rural Texas, with the people, animals, and folklore all being an integral part of the tales he shares with his viewers.

 

Scale is an important artistic consideration in creating sculpture and the nine foot height of this piece emphasizes the overarching importance of cattle in the history of Texas.

 

 Listen to Joe Barrington discuss his work while at the Wrangell Mountains Center Artist in Residence Program, Alaska.

 

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