 Kvinneakt was designed and created by Norman J. Taylor , a Seattle @-@ based artist and professor of sculpture at the University of Washington , between 1973 and 1975 . The piece is an abstract bronze sculpture depicting a full @-@ length nude woman measuring 71 " x 38 " x 25 " . Kvinneakt was one of 11 sculptures selected for the Portland Transit Mall from more than 500 entries entered in a juried competition . The works were purchased through a budget of $ 250 @,@ 000 ; Kvinneakt was commissioned at a cost of $ 6 @,@ 500 . Funding sources for the project included Tri @-@ Met ( 20 percent ) and the United States Department of Transportation ( 80 percent ) . Of the 11 sculptures , only Kvinneakt and Kathleen McCullough 's ( née Conchuratt ) Cat in Repose were considered " figurative " . Claiming his intention was not to be vulgar , Taylor said : " It 's about grace and motion and a certain beauty and pride in the human figure . That may be sensual , but that 's far different from sex . " According to the Regional Arts & Culture Council , Taylor intended the piece to be " confrontational " ; he admitted , " the worst reaction you could give my work is no reaction . " 
