Ideals was commissioned in 1991 as part of the One Percent for Art in State Buildings Collection.

It was completed by Castanis in February 1992 and installed at the northwest exterior corner of the Portland State Office Building (800 Northeast Oregon Street) in the Lloyd District.

It rests on an aggregate base which has a diameter of approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) and weighs 850 lbs.

[2] The figure is illuminated by four footlights in the base and its proper left arm is raised.

The piece was surveyed and considered "well maintained" by Smithsonian's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!"