Bronze casts of a hare titled Thinker on a Rock stand in public spaces ranging from the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., to O’Connell Street in Dublin. These sculptures represent the career of a creator who moved from early experimentation with cloth and rope into a sustained investigation of bronze animal forms.
Early Education and Career
He shifted his focus to sculpture at the Saint Martin's School of Art in London, where he studied from 1964 to 1966. Following his graduation, he served as a member of the teaching staff at both Saint Martin's and the Central School of Art and Design from 1967 until 1971.
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Flanagan developed a diverse portfolio, acting as an etcher, printmaker, graphic artist, and land artist. His professional associations reflected his varied interests; he held membership in the College of 'Pataphysics, the Artist Placement Group, and the Royal Academy of Arts. His influence was acknowledged through his appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Legacy and Exhibition History
The artist maintained a presence in both Wales and Dublin, eventually becoming an Irish citizen. Toward the end of his life, he resided in Santa Eulària des Riu, where he died in 2009. Retrospective examinations of his output, such as the 2011 exhibition at Tate Britain, emphasized his development from initial 1960s material studies to the large-scale bronze statues that gained wide recognition.
Fast facts
- Born: 1941, Prestatyn, Wales
- Died: 31 August 2009, Santa Eulària des Riu
- Educated: Saint Martin's School of Art
- Key recognition: Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- Notable works: The Drummer, Thinker on a Rock
- Citizenship: United Kingdom, Ireland
Questions readers ask
What animals did Barry Flanagan sculpt most frequently?
He is widely recognized for his bronze statues of hares.
Where can one see his public sculpture installations?
Installations of his work are found in various locations, including the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, and sites across Washington, D.C., Utrecht, and Cologne.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- Notable work: The Drummer
- Notable work: Thinker on a Rock
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