Mr. Nichols’s Steer
In 1991, Texas artist Harold Nichols donated this sculpture to his alma mater, Sul Ross State University in Alpine. According to the Library of Congress, the sculpture contains enough steel to build an automobile. (I imagine they mean a 1991-era automobile, not a 2016 one.)
But anyway, Mr. Nichols called the steer “Old Maverick.”
Alpine, Texas
photographed 7.24.2016
Posted on August 2, 2016, in Photography and tagged 365 photo project, black and white photography, Harold Nichols, Leica, melinda green harvey, monochrome, one day one image, photo a day, photography, postaday, texas. Bookmark the permalink. 14 Comments.
One Day | One Image 
With the name “Old Maverick,” maybe it *is* a recycled Ford. And lest you think the Ford Maverick unworthy of sculpture, remember, Howe Gelb sang that auto’s praises in his song “4 Door Maverick.”
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The artist has passed away, so I guess there’s no way to find out where the steel came from. So, let’s just assume that it IS from a Maverick.
I’m not familiar with the song, so I’ll spend some quality time this morning researching it! Thanks for giving me something to do that’s more interesting than what I’m supposed to be doing!
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My first car in was a brand new 1970 Maverick. Perhaps this is its recreation?
I like the framing you chose… a little different than would be expected by most.
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Maybe it IS a recycled Maverick! I shot the sculpture from the front, but didn’t like it: there were buildings in the background that cluttered up the whole thing. And anyway, my photographic motto is “look around back” so I’d probably have chosen this view anyway.
PS – my first car was a 1974 Pinto. It was, by any standard you can imagine, a complete piece of crap. It was also the only Ford I’ve ever owned. A coincidence?
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You managed to fit “look around the back” and “a complete piece of crap” in one comment. No bull, eh?
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I am trying to “stretch” as a writer. Or something.
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Great photo!
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Thanks!
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My 1st was a early 60’s Rambler with “three on a tree”. Not sure but the artist may have been on Texas Country Reporter or something like that.
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He might have been – he was a Texan. And as long as Texas Country Reporter has been on the air, I think almost every Texan has been featured*.
* Except me. My dad was born in Colorado, which probably disqualifies me.
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Lovely composition and interesting history, Melinda.
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Thanks, Kate. A friend of mine, who is a blacksmith, actually owns Mr. Nichols’s anvil, a fact I just recently learned.
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Wow. A real life blacksmith. That is marvellous. One less endangered craft!
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It’s an interesting craft, and sort of an odd thing to have for a hobby. Yet somehow, with this guy, it makes perfect sense…!
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