Powerful Play by Nancy Thompson, steel with a wooden saddle,  230 cm high, 220 cm wide, and 70 cm deep,

Powerful Play by Nancy Thompson is a striking, life-size sculpture of a bucking rocking horse. The horse’s head dips forward, its tail flicking up into the air as its back legs kick out, perfectly conveying playfulness and spirited motion.

The hollow steel construction is composed of see-through squares, creating a dynamic interplay between solidity and transparency. This geometric framework not only emphasizes the horse’s form but also allows the surrounding space to interact with the sculpture, giving it a sense of lightness despite its size. Meanwhile, the wooden saddle adds a warm, tactile contrast to the cool steel, anchoring the piece visually and providing a subtle nod to traditional craftsmanship.

Through this combination of materials and design, Thompson balances realism with abstraction. The sculpture evokes joy and vitality while maintaining a strong contemporary presence. Its scale and energy make it a commanding centerpiece, yet the open framework invites viewers to move around and through it, encouraging engagement from multiple angles.

Ultimately, Powerful Play celebrates motion, freedom, and imagination, transforming a familiar childhood object into a monumental artwork that is both playful and powerful.