Located in The Heights is one of Houston’s oddest and, perhaps, largest attractions: giant sculptures of presidents’ heads.
They are not just heads, but busts of the past 42 U.S. presidents. Two long rows of them face the parking lot, rising above visitors and staring forcefully at visions no one else can see.
Created by artist David Adickes, the sculptures sit in a gated lot outside of his SculptureWorx Studio, 2500 Summer St. Visitors are allowed to walk around the sculptures and admire their construction and expressive faces. Visitors can also walk through the presidents’ shoulders, which are hollow.
Andrew Jackson’s head sits at the entrance to the studio. Lacking a bust, his chin rests on the ground and allows visitors to get up close to his stern visage. Posing with Jackson’s head is also popular, which often makes for comical photographs.
With Jackson’s face, the detailed work put into each piece can also be seen more easily. A fist can easily fit inside his pupils as well as up his nose. Little Republican elephants decorate the tie on the George W. Bush statue.
These busts were created for a new presidential park in the WaterLights District in Pearland. Adickes is already known for his presidential statues in two Presidents Parks in South Dakota and Virginia. He has also designed the Sam Houston statue and ‘Virtuoso,’ the cellist statue located outside the Lyric Center in downtown Houston.
Also at the studio are 36-foot tall statues of The Beatles. Standing tall above the presidents, they resemble out-of-place giants, observing their surroundings. The Paul McCartney statue was damaged by Hurricane Ike in September, but is now repaired.
These impressive statues seem slightly cubist in nature but keep the simplicity of the rest of Adickes’ work.
While it does seem like an odd display of art, one can’t deny its popularity. Posing with your favorite (or not so favorite) president or Beatle is something not everyone can say they have experienced.
Make your trip during the day because the statues are locked up at night. Late-night visitors can, however, peer through the fence.
Sculptureworx Studio
Featuring giant president heads and statues of The Beatles.
Where: 2500 Summer St.
Cost: Free admission.
