Frink
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Author Description
Daughter of an ordinary Army family, Dame Elisabeth Frink grew up to be an original, passionate and exceptionally talented sculptor - one of the few 20th century artists to achieve critical acclaim while remaining popular with the general public. Frink went on from art school to take her place at the centre of Bohemian Chelsea; she married three times, had many lovers, and became friends with many of the late 20th century's most colourful figures from the art and literary worlds. A complex, contradictory figure of great inner strength and integrity, Frink embodied a peculiarly eccentric mixture of flamboyance and conventionality. Gardiner's biography focuses on the places (Suffolk, London, France and Dorset) and people (lovers, husbands, friends) that shaped her life and on the themes (men, horses, birds) and beliefs which shaped her work.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This biography investigates how the personal experiences, social circles, and geographic environments of Dame Elisabeth Frink informed her development as a prominent 20th-century sculptor. Stephen Gardiner, drawing on his proximity to the art world, examines the intersection of Frink's private life—marked by multiple marriages and a vibrant social presence in Bohemian Chelsea—and her professional output. The narrative maps the evolution of her artistic themes, specifically her recurring focus on men, horses, and birds, against the backdrop of her life in Suffolk, London, France, and Dorset. By analyzing these influences, the author presents a portrait of an artist who balanced intense personal eccentricity with a disciplined, conventional approach to her craft.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed account of Frink's formative years in an Army family and her subsequent integration into the Bohemian Chelsea art scene.
- An analysis of the recurring motifs in her sculpture, including the symbolic significance of men, horses, and birds.
- Biographical data regarding her three marriages, various romantic relationships, and friendships with notable 20th-century cultural figures.
- A geographic survey of the locations that served as catalysts for her creative process, from the English countryside to France.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This biography provides a comprehensive, grounded look at the life of a significant British artist, focusing on the interplay between her personal history and her creative output. The text serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the human context behind Frink's iconic sculptural forms.
Page Count:
352
Publication Date:
1999-01-01
Publisher:
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
ISBN-10:
000654858X
ISBN-13:
9780006548584
Biography
Art History
Artists
Sculpture
