Robert Arneson poses in 1991 with the first of his five Egghead installations, Bookhead, in front of Shields Library. The professor died the next year. (Jim von Rummelhoff/UC Davis photo)
See a photo contest, take a walking tour, learn about UC Davis sculptor's legacy
About the contest
“Bob Arneson believed that art should interact with everyday life. He wanted art that regular people would understand and enjoy. Maybe that's why the Eggheads are the most photographed objects on campus.” — Nelson Art Gallery Director Renny Pritikin
If you visit the UC Davis central campus, chances are you'll walk past one of artist Robert Arneson's Egghead ceramic sculptures. Since they began appearing on campus in 1991, the artwork has caught the attention — and often hit the funny bone — of visitors as well as the campus community.
According to Arneson's widow, Sandra Shannonhouse, people viewing any Arneson work should look beyond what seems to be "edgy, naughty or funny" to find more serious comments about political, social and economic issues. In the case of The Egghead Series, created by the artist specifically for UC Davis, the intrigue is to figure out for yourself just what Arneson was saying about life at the university.
The UC Davis eggs-perience
- Robert Arneson: The Eggheads artist used humor to present serious ideas
- Take a virtual walking tour
- View the Eggheads
On the campus home page: In 2004, visiting artist Pat Oleszko asked her UC Davis students to create art based on Robert Arneson's Eggheads while engaging people across the campus in an interactive experience. Now community members are asked to create their own photos in conjunction with the sculptures. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis photo)