The Last Turtle Wain

In The Last Turtle Wain a great turtle holds others on its back, an allusion to creation myths from around the world including Iroquois and other Native American cultures. Potratz has been making sculptures based on the wagon form since the mid-1970s, and turtle iconography can be found throughout his body of work as symbols of longevity and creativity.

Potratz is one of the most influential sculptors and teachers in Minnesota. He taught at the University of Minnesota from 1965-2014 and led the department from 1985-1998. Potratz built an internationally recognized academic foundry program that culminated in the IRON50 pour in 2019. He has exhibited and participated in iron pours all over the world.

Potratz has deep ties to Caponi Art Park. He was an early student of the park’s founder, Anthony Caponi, and served as board chair from 2015-19, leading the organization through the transition after Tony’s passing.