James Arthur Surls: Sculpting Myth and Landscape James Arthur Surls (born April 19, 1943, Terrell, Texas) stands as a singular figure in American modernist sculpture, recognized for his monumental earthworks that grapple with profound themes of mythology, nature, and the evolving identity of the United States. Growing up in Malakoff, Texas—a landscape deeply rooted in cattle ranching and woodworking traditions—Surls’ formative years instilled within him an appreciation for materiality and craftsmanship that would become central to his artistic vision. His father, Joe William Surls, a carpent…