Bra Sculpture

Artist: Peter John Larson // University of North Dakota BFA project

Installation: 1995

Medium: Polychrome metal

Location: Tim Shea's Nursery

Description: The sculpture was created by UND alumnus Peter John Larson to make a political statement about the government failing to support the arts in the 1990s. He called it "Losing Support."

With permission, Bert's Truck Equipment Inc. sandblasted the old patriotic paint and rust away, and 5 Star Collision and Glass Center repainted the massive piece of lingerie Pepto Bismol pink with white polka dots.

The repurposed sculpture, newly named "Gaining Support," is meant to encourage breast cancer awareness, something close to Shea and the artist's hearts as Larson's wife passed away from the disease.

The big bra sat painted red, white and blue on UND's campus for a time in the 1990s before being removed by an administrator who found it offensive, according to information given to Shea from the artist. It eventually found a permanent home in front of ARTSplace, which closed in 2015.