Jean Arp (1886-1966)
French/German artist Arp was noted for helping to establish Dadaism. He created organically formed sculptures, produced paintings and generated abstract assemblages. His work was driven by a desire to exploit the inner self and satirise orthodox values. It was Arp’s assertion that sculpture and painting not based on actual objects could be just as sensuous and solid as a leaf or stone. Arp thrived on improvisation and random artistic procedure. Metamorphosis, expansion, revolution and fertility were at the heart of Arp’s enterprise. He drew inspiration from the influential Russian artist Wassily Kadinsky. Sculptural works by Hepworth and Moore bear the hallmarks of Arp’s approach to form.
Bibliography:
Artnet (n.d.) Jean (Hans) Arp. Artnet [online] Available from: http://www.artnet.com/artists/jean-hans-arp/ [Accessed 16th February 2020]
Velimirovic. A (2016) Jean Arp. Widewalls [online] Available from: https://www.widewalls.ch/artist/jean-arp/ [Accessed 16th February 2020]
Image:
Maia.C (n.d.) ‘Torso of a Giant’ [online image] Available at: https://ccsearch.creativecommons.org/photos/bd29b393-5cc3-44b5-ab10-f1a2ca6f7847 [Accessed 16th February 2020]
BA Hons Creative Arts: Starting out in 3D: Sculpture 1 