Cliff Garten Unveils Monumental Sculpture at Denver’s National Western Center
Taking Stock challenges Western mythology while honoring its legacy.
Photo: Courtesy of Cliff Garten, HIJINX ARTS PR
In lieu of this winter’s National Western Stock Show, renowned sculptor Cliff Garten has unveiled his captivating 20-foot-long sculpture, Taking Stock, which embodies the spirit of the Mountain West and seeks to suggest a “heroic question” rather than a heroic gesture. “I wanted to challenge the mythology of the West while still honoring its legacy,” says Garten. “That includes the Hollywood version, as well as the lived experience of men and women ranchers. The sculpture’s figuration becomes a point of transformation. It asks the viewer to engage with the complexity and evolving narratives of the place.”
Photo: Courtesy of Cliff Garten, HIJINX ARTS PR
Commissioned by the City of Denver, the cast, patinated bronze sculpture stands at the center of the National Western Center’s Main Campus Plaza, located on the historic grounds of the former Denver Stockyards. “Cliff Garten’s Taking Stock brings a bold new vision to one of Denver’s most historic sites,” says Rudi Cerri, Denver Public Art Manager. “The sculpture honors the legacy of the Stockyards while challenging us to reflect on the evolving stories of the West. As part of Denver’s Public Art Collection, Taking Stock reflects the City’s ongoing investment in art as a vital public resource — inviting dialogue, connection, and a deeper understanding of the communities and histories that shape our city.”
The public is invited to attend the dedication on Wednesday, January 21, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the National Western Center Campus Main Campus Plaza.
