Bay Area couple unearths massive sculpture while digging in backyard
A couple in San Francisco has made a surprising discovery in their backyard, unearthing a carved limestone sculpture that may be linked to the city's Art Deco past.
The sculpture, which was found by Greg Gatwood while digging in his Russian Hill backyard, is believed by some to be connected to Ralph Stackpole, a prominent figure in the San Francisco art world during the 1920s and '30s. Stackpole created major public works, including statues for the old San Francisco Stock Exchange and murals inside Coit Tower.
Gatwood and his partner, Judy Gitelson, an artist herself, have several theories about the sculpture's possible connection to Stackpole or his students, given the proximity of their home to the former San Francisco Art Institute. While Gitelson does not believe the piece is a creation by Stackpole, she notes that its style strongly echoes his era, with distinct features linking the mystery sculpture to that milieu.