David Deming Monumental Steel Sculpture “Centurion II,” 1985

David L. Deming
Centurion II
1985
Fabricated steel, nine interlocking elements.
89 inches high x 62 inches wide x 32 inches deep
Welded Signature and Date to Face of Integrated Plinth

An exceptional monumental steel sculpture by American artist David L. Deming, executed in 1985 and titled Centurion II. Standing nearly seven and a half feet tall, the sculpture is composed of nine massive interlocking steel elements that transform industrial forms into a remarkably powerful anthropomorphic figure.
Viewed from the front, Centurion II has the commanding presence of an ancient warrior or sentinel. Broad, weighty forms establish the torso and legs, while layered horizontal elements create an elaborate helmet-like head and shoulders. Long articulated appendages extend from either side, further suggesting arms and hands. Circular openings, exposed cylindrical connections and overlapping plates introduce mechanical details that contrast beautifully with the sculpture's otherwise monolithic silhouette.
The work becomes increasingly complex as one moves around it. Forms that appear solid from one viewpoint separate into layers, openings and cantilevered elements from another, revealing Deming's sophisticated handling of mass, balance and negative space. It is an imposing sculpture, yet there is also considerable wit and personality in the way Deming coaxes a recognizable human presence from heavy industrial steel.
The sculpture has recently been professionally powder-coated in a rich flat black, with select cylindrical elements intentionally left in raw metal. These subtle metallic accents emphasize the construction and articulation of the work while providing a striking contrast against the otherwise uniform black surface.
David L. Deming is an accomplished American sculptor and educator whose career spans more than five decades. He taught sculpture and drawing at the University of Texas at Austin from 1972 to 1998 and served as Dean of its College of Fine Arts before becoming President of the Cleveland Institute of Art. His work ranges from intimately scaled sculpture to monumental public commissions and is held in numerous public, corporate and private collections.
Deming's connection to Texas is particularly significant. His monumental 22-foot painted-steel sculpture Mystic Raven, created in 1983, is installed in Austin's Pease Park as part of The Contemporary Austin's Museum Without Walls program. Like Centurion II, the work demonstrates Deming's ability to transform fabricated steel into highly expressive, almost animate forms.
Executed two years after Mystic Raven, Centurion II is an extraordinary large-scale example of Deming's sculptural vocabulary during this important period. Monumental in scale and architectural in construction, it has enough visual power for a museum, corporate collection or substantial residential interior and can be appreciated completely in the round.