Northeastern Installed Bronze Hare Statue

A massive 16-foot bronze sculpture has been placed at the Boston campus as part of the university's growing public art collection.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Fine Art

Northeastern Installed Bronze Hare Statue

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Northeastern University installed a 2,600-pound bronze statue titled Large Left-Handed Drummer between its ISEC and EXP buildings. The 16-foot-tall hare sculpture is currently on loan from the Waddington Custot gallery in London.

Why it matters

The installation adds a major piece to the university's ongoing Public Art Initiative, which seeks to integrate professional art into the daily campus environment for students and the local community.

The bronze statue created by Barry Flanagan in 2006 is estimated to be worth between $700,000 and $900,000. It joins an expanding campus collection that now features over 30 individual murals and sculptures.

The players

Northeastern University

This Boston-based private research university maintains an extensive Public Art Initiative to enhance its campus environment.

Barry Flanagan

He was a Welsh sculptor best known for his bronze works featuring hares that were created before his death in 2009.

Waddington Custot

This contemporary art gallery based in London manages the estate of Barry Flanagan and facilitated the loan of the statue.

The details

The artwork depicts a hare captured mid-action while holding a drum and drumstick. It was placed between the ISEC and EXP buildings to anchor the latest expansion of the school's curated artistic works.

Barry Flanagan created the original Leaping Hare concept in 1979.
The artist completed the original Left-Handed Drummer work in 1997.
Barry Flanagan completed the specific statue now on display in 2006.
The artist passed away in 2009.
Northeastern installed the bronze hare on October 6, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

Universities are increasingly utilizing high-profile public art as a strategy to elevate campus prestige and foster engagement with the surrounding city. This installation follows the pattern of growth established by Northeastern University's Public Art Initiative.

The sculpture is permanently situated in an outdoor area between the ISEC and EXP buildings, making it freely accessible to the public at all times. Visitors should be aware that the piece is on loan and may not be a permanent fixture on the campus grounds.

The takeaway

Large-scale public installations like the Flanagan hare can transform everyday campus transit into an accessible gallery experience. Residents and students should check official university notifications to see if additional installations are planned for the coming year.