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Harold T. Holden (1940-2023), acclaimed Oklahoma sculptor, is best known for highly detailed depictions of Western life in bronze. Holden, or “H” as he was better known, attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from the Texas Academy of Art in Houston. Holden became a commercial artist working in Houston where he was also the Art Director at Western Horseman magazine. As a member of the Texas Cowboy Artists Association and the National Western Artists Association, he believed the artist should be close to the subject matter they create. Holden spent much of his leisure time roping and exploring the cowboy way of life.

In 2014, Holden was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In 2020, he won the James Earle Fraser Award for Sculpture at the Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, and he was the first Oklahoma artist to be inducted into the museum’s Hall of Great Westerners.

Holden’s artwork is included in the Oklahoma State Capitol Art Collection and the Oklahoma State Art Collection in addition to collections across the United States. It has been featured in major publications including multiple covers of Western Horseman magazine.

For this exhibition, the artworks on display were chosen to highlight Holden’s use of both iconic Western imagery and his incredible knowledge of the sculpted form. Many of the works on view demonstrate the sculptor’s ability to capture the essence of a moment in the life of a cowboy. Other works are included to illustrate the highly detailed precision Holden used to capture active movement in his works. This exhibition celebrates the extraordinary artwork of “H” and his contribution to the arts in Oklahoma.

About the Oklahoma State Capitol Galleries

The Oklahoma Arts Council supports the work of professional Oklahoma artists by showcasing their work in three galleries in the Oklahoma State Capitol. Exhibitions exemplify the outstanding and diverse artistic talent of the people of Oklahoma while enriching lives and promoting public interest and understanding of the arts. Exhibitions in the North, East and Governor’s galleries rotate every 60 days and are viewed by thousands of people from around the world who work in and tour the historic building.

Portfolio Submission

Artists interested in having their artwork considered for exhibition in the Oklahoma State Capitol galleries may submit their portfolios using the link below. Submission of a portfolio does not guarantee an exhibition.

Submit your portfolio here.