About this lot
Description
§ David Wynne (1926-2014), Kangaroo, 1964, a patinated bronze sculpture of a crouching kangaroo, mounted on a wooden plinth base, stamped and numbered '69.14 Southeast Arkansas Arts and Science Centre, CVC Centre, Pine Bluff, Ark 71601' to the underside45 x 76cmLiterature:Illustrated; Michael Joseph, The Sculpture of David Wynne, 1949-1967, Alistair McAlpine 1968, p.119A copy of provenance documents and Michael Joseph's book will be included in this lot.‘I am celebrating the animal’, claimed David Wynne, ‘I am not trying to make anything new’. Indeed, Wynne’s work has been celebrated for its unfailing commitment to both the representational and intrinsic essence of the animal, which was informed both by his studies in zoology and his lived experience with animals. His iconic dolphin works, for example, were created after hours swimming alongside the creatures, whilst his marble statue of a grizzly bear was executed after three weeks spent in the Rocky Mountains. It is this fusion of the physical and ineffable qualities of the animal he is sculpting that makes Wynne’s work so appealing and enduring.Described as a ‘born sculptor’, Wynne received his early education at Stowe, before serving in the Royal Navy during World War II, and later reading zoology at Trinity College, Cambridge. Although he had received no formal education, Wynne demonstrated a prodigious natural ability for sculpting. By 1950 Wynne established himself as a professional sculptor and rapidly gained several influential patrons and champions of his work, including Jacob Epstein, who was instrumental in convincing Wynne’s father to invest his last £4,000 in a studio for his son’s burgeoning career. In 1955, Wynne held his first exhibition alongside Keith Vaughan and Nicolas Ghika at Leicester Galleries, London. Following the show, Wynne received several high-profile celebrity and royal commissions and is today the most prolific sculptor of public works in London.Bronze is in seemingly good condition, two of the three securing bolts have shearedPlinth base: 51 x 33cmBronze: approx 45cm high, approx 76cm (tip of tail to nose) wiseProvenance: Deaccessioned from Arkansas Arts & Science centre, subsequently sold in USA, where purchased by present vendor
Back to lot listings