At Cliveden May October, 2018
The National Trust and Blain Southern present Lynn Chadwick at Cliveden, an exhibition of sculptures by the internationally renowned British artist, Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003). The artist s large-scale bronze and steel sculptures are installed over twelve sites across Cliveden s gardens, working to enhance and invite reconsideration of the landscape and vistas of these historic Grade I listed grounds. The exhibition runs until 14 October 2018.
Discover the artist Lynn Chadwick was one of the leading British sculptors who rose to international prominence after World War II. He is known primarily for metal works often inspired by the human form and the natural world, but which also at times seemed close to abstraction. He was born in Barnes, London in 1914 and died at his home in Gloucestershire, in 2003. Chadwick was launched on the international stage as a key figure in a generation of sculptors who succeeded the likes of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, and exhibited for the first time together at the Venice Biennale, 1952. The ground-breaking exhibition New Aspects of British Sculpture at the British Pavilion saw Chadwick exhibiting with Robert Adams, Geoffrey Clarke, Reg Butler, Eduardo Paolozzi, William Turnbull and Bernard Meadows. These young sculptors, born between 1913 and 1930, were moving away from Hepworth and Moore's carved sculptures introducing, new ways of working with welded metals. Four years later, representing Great Britain at the 1956 Venice Biennale, Chadwick won the coveted International Prize for Sculpture ahead of established artists such as Alberto Giacometti.
Chadwick s approach to making sculpture was instinctual; engaging in the physical activity of making without preliminary drawings, where practical improvisation resulted in works imbued with a unique intensity and presence. It seems to me, Chadwick said, that art must be the manifestation of some vital force coming from the dark, caught by the imagination and translated by the artist s ability and skill. Whatever the final shape, the force behind is... indivisible. From this point, in a career that spanned over half a century, Chadwick had over a hundred solo exhibitions and his works can now be found in the collections of the world s most renowned museums. He was awarded a CBE in 1964 and was elected a Royal Academician in 2001.
Art at Cliveden Exhibiting sculpture outdoors has been a significant feature of the designed landscape at Cliveden since the 18 th century. Large figurative works and architectural structures have defined spaces and delineated views inand-around the gardens that visitors have enjoyed for three centuries. Exhibiting the work of Lynn Chadwick, The National Trust s Cliveden invites visitors to view its world famous gardens in a new light, reframed by iconic figurative works by one of Britain s most significant sculptors. Lynn Chadwick shared the view that the placement of monumental sculpture enhanced both the landscape and the work. It became a particular preoccupation for the artist in the latter part of his career when he created his own sculpture park at his home in Gloucestershire.
In 1958 he bought a neglected manor house, Lypiatt Park and alongside his sculptural practise, his life s project was to renovate and restore the house and surrounding gardens. In the 1980s Chadwick bought some of the original parkland and set about restoring it to the original Victorian design. He then began placing his monumental works outdoors with dedication and precision, to ensure a harmonious balance between the land and sculpture. His daughter, Sarah Chadwick, said: The exhibition focuses on some of his key figurative pieces. The human form was always a starting point for these works as he strove to capture the attitude of a figure. Even at their most monumental he captures a humanity and sensitivity, which is emphasised when placed in nature, freeing the figure to interact with its surroundings. Cliveden s historic gardens, with their exceptional beauty and tradition of siting sculpture outdoors, are perfect for showing his works as he intended. Seeing them here would have given my father great pleasure.
Works in the exhibition
Teddy Boy and Girl (Second Version 1974) 1955 Bronze 185 x 65 x 55 cm / (72⅞ x 25⅝ x 21⅝ in) Edition of 6 Cat Rais: 170B BSL ref: 57632
Dancing Figures (Two Dancing Figures) 1956 Bronze 184 x 110 x 69 cm / (72½ x 43¼ x 27⅛ in) Edition of 2. Cat Rais: 175 BSL ref: 40219
Stranger III 1959 Bronze 218 x 264 x 82 cm / (85 x 104 x 32¼ in) Edition of 4 Cat Rais: 285 BSL ref: 41924
Sitting Figure 1962 Bronze 152 x 183 x 94 cm / (60 x 72 x 37 in) Edition of 4 Cat Rais: 381 BSL ref: 41568
Two Reclining Figures 1972 Bronze Length 183 cm / (72 in) Edition of 4 Cat Rais: 642 BSL ref: 41584
Cloaked Figure IX 1978 Bronze 185 x 101 x 140 cm / (73 x 40 x 55 in) Edition of 6 Cat Rais: 770 BSL ref: 40238
Sitting Figures 1979-80 Bronze Female: 180 x 84 x 122 cm (71 x 33 x 48 in) Male: 193 x 94 x 142 cm (76 x 37 x 56 in) Edition of 6 Cat Rais: 786 BSL ref: 44505
Little Girl 1987 Bronze 178 x 120 x 120 cm / (70 x 47 x 47 in) Edition of 9 Cat Rais: C64 BSL ref: 41841
Little Girl II 1987 Bronze 173 x 122 x 132 cm / (68 x 48 x 52 in) Edition of 9 Cat Rais: C65 BSL ref: 42939
Little Girl III 1987 Bronze 175 x 120 x 124 cm / (69 x 47 x 49 in) Edition of 9 Cat Rais: C66 BSL ref: 41382
Sitting Figures 1989 Welded stainless steel 192 x 166 x 152 cm / (75½ x 65¼ x 60 in) Edition of 6 Cat Rais: C92 BSL ref: 41925
Sitting Couple on Bench 1990 Bronze 262 x 303 x 249 cm / (103 x 119 x 98 in) Edition of 9 Cat Rais: C97B BSL ref: 41364
Stairs 1991 Bronze 239 x 160 x 112 cm / (94 x 63 x 44 in) Edition of 9 Cat Rais: C126S BSL ref: 40270
Crouching Beast II 1990 Welded stainless steel 183 x 213.5 x 472.5 cm / (72 x 84 x 186 in) Edition of 6 Cat Rais: C108 BSL ref: 41365
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