Elisabeth Frink

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Shepherd and Sheep by Elisabeth Frink in Paternoster Square, London

Dame Elisabeth Jean Frink, DBE (b. 14 November 1930, Thurlow, Suffolk - d. 18 April 1992, Blandford Forum, Dorset) was an English sculptor and printmaker (many sources spell her name Elizabeth, but Elisabeth Frink is correct)^[1].

She studied at the Guildford School of Art (1946–1949) and, with Bernard Meadows, at the Chelsea School of Art]] (1949–1953). She was linked with the post-war school of British sculptors, including Reg Butler, Bernard Meadows and Eduardo Paolozzi, though her work is distinguished by her commitment to figurative forms and themes. Frink’s range of subjects included men, birds, dogs, horses and religious motifs. Bird (1952; London, Tate), with its alert, menacing stance, characterizes her early work. Although she made many drawings and prints, she is best known for her bronze outdoor sculpture, which has a distinctive scarred surface. This is created by her working in wet plaster over an armature, which she then worked back into with a chisel and surform. This process eliminates unnecessary detail and generalises form.

Some of her sculptures were used in the Hammer science fiction film, The Damned, made in the early 1960s and starring Oliver Reed [1].

In the 1960s Frink’s continuing fascination with the human form was evident in a series of falling figures and winged men. While living in France from 1967 to 1970, she began a series of threatening, monumental male heads, known as the goggle heads. On returning to England, she focused on the male nude, barrel-chested, with mask-like features, attenuated limbs and a pitted surface, for example Running Man (1976; Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mus. A.). Frink’s sculpture, and her lithographs and etchings created as book illustrations, drew on archetypes expressing masculine strength, struggle and aggression.

The 1980s held capstones for Frink's career. In 1982, a new publishing firm proposed to produce a Catalogue Raisonné of all of her works to date; and the Royal Academy planned a retrospective of her life's work, a great honour. The date of the retrospective, originally to be held in 1986, was moved forward a year due to space demands at the gallery, causing Frink some headaches due to her busy commissioned work schedule. In 1985 alone, she was committed to two major projects: a set of three figures for a corporate headquarters, one of which was a nearly seven-foot tall male nude; and the other, a grouping entitled Dorset Martyrs to be placed in Dorchester, England. However, despite the potential for conflict, the retrospective was a success and spurred the art world to hold more exhibitions of Frink's worth, with four solo exhibitions and several group ones coming in the following year. Tirelessly, Frink continued to accept commissions and sculpt, as well as serve on advisory committees, meet with art students who had expressed an interest in her work, and pursue other public commitments.

Frink kept up this hectic pace of sculpting and exhibiting until early 1991, when an operation for cancer of the esophagus caused an enforced break. However, short weeks later Frink was again creating sculptures and preparing for solo exhibitions. In September, she underwent a second surgery. Again, Frink did not let this hold her back, proceeding with a planned trip for exhibitions to New Orleans, Louisiana, and New York City. The exhibitions were a success, but Frink's health was clearly deteriorating. Despite this, she was working on a colossal statue, Risen Christ, for Liverpool Cathedral. This sculpture would prove to be her last; just one week after its installation, Frink died from cancer on 18 April 1993, aged 62. Her husband had predeceased her by only a few months.

Stephen Gardiner, Frink's official biographer, argued that this final sculpture was appropriate: "This awesome work, beautiful, clear and commanding, a vivid mirror-image of the artist's mind and spirit, created against fearful odds, was a perfect memorial for a remarkable great individual."

Walking Madonna by Elisabeth Frink in Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Warhorse and Walking Madonna may be seen in the garden at Chatsworth House. Other work is at the Jerwood Sculpture Park at Ragley Hall. Desert Quartet may be seen opposite Liverpool Gardens in Worthing.