Flukes - Philadelphia, PA - Abstract Public Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Flukes was sculpted by American artist Godon Gund (born 1939) and is part of a much larger similarly themed sculpted collection. The sculpture was completed in 2007 and is composed of bronze with a marble base. The sculpture was a gift from Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest. The sculpture looks like a whale, or at least the back part, rising out of the "water". It's a playful little piece that lends itself well to the imagination.

Flukes is inspired by an encounter Gund had with pilot whales on Nantucket Island a few summers ago. A group of whales had come ashore, and the artist, along with scientists attempting to redirect the pod, had an opportunity to feel the tail of one of the whales. For Gund this was a meaningful opportunity because as a young adult he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa which eventually left him blind. The ability to examine up close such a magnificent mammal allowed Gund to interpret and translate into bronze what he “saw” with his hands. Flukes effectively captures “the power and massiveness of the tail of a whale” as well as the “power of the musculature, and the torque of the speed which can emerge from these multi-ton animals as they swim, dive and surface in the waters off Nantucket. SOURCE

The Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden is located behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, on the elevated terrace adjacent to landscape architectural firm Olin’s gorgeous Sol LeWitt garden.

There are many beautiful works of art using all sorts of mediums spread throughout this terraced area on the Museum's west end. Located on top of a brand new parking facility, this artfully landscaped green “gallery without walls” is located between the Azalea Garden and the museum’s West Entrance. This area overlooks the river and the Fairmount Water Works. There always seems to be something new added as recently two new members joined the sculpture club. The garden is dedicated to the museum’s late director Anne d’Harnoncourt, and reflects her passions for art and the city of Philadelphia. the sculpture garden is open to the public throughout museum hours.

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