Accession Number
1954/2.41

Title
Insect Form

Artist(s)
Lynn Chadwick

Artist Nationality
British (modern)

Object Creation Date
circa 1950-1954

Medium & Support
iron and cement

Dimensions
15 3/4 in x 11 1/2 in x 7 7/8 in (40.01 cm x 29.21 cm x 20 cm);15 3/4 in x 11 1/2 in x 7 7/8 in (40.01 cm x 29.21 cm x 20 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
Insect Form is typical of Chadwick's numerous abstract, angular sculptures of creatures that vaguely resemble animal and insect forms. British artist Lynn Chadwick never attended art school, but worked as an architectural draughtsman which eventually led him to exhbition design and construction. It was from here that Chadwick experimented with making mobiles, and later stabiles. Chadwick began working as a sculptor in 1950, and then gained notoriety as an artist in 1956 after winning the International Prize for Sculpture at the Venice Biennale. This was particularly notable because he was selected over Alberto Giacometti. 

Physical Description
This small sculpture resembles a grasshopper-like insect standing on three legs, but instead of a head a branching form resembling tree roots emerges from the top of the sculpture.

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
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Keywords
Abstract (fine arts style)
British (modern)
Insecta (class)
Insects
abstraction
creatures
metalwork
modern and contemporary art
sculpture
sculpture (visual works)