Contemporary Standing Landmark sculpture, Bespoke Contemporary Abstract Standing statue by the Versatile and Inspired Sculptor John Atkin who mentions…..
“This large-scale, aluminium sculpture responds to, and extends, recent research on Chinese Terracotta Acrobat Sculptures that were produced for Emperor Qin (3rd century BC) and were discovered in the 1990s. In contrast to the Terracotta Warriors of the same period, the Acrobat Sculptures are thought to be stylistic hybrids, influenced by Greek modelling techniques long before such cultural exchange was previously thought possible.
Atkin faced the challenge of creating a contemporary sculpture that explored the dynamics of movement intimated by the Hellenistic modelling of these otherwise static sculptures. His research included detailed investigation of the form and style of the Acrobats, in comparison with the Terracotta Warriors, which includes their unique confluence of Western and Eastern sculptural production. Atkin’s investigations allowed him to make an original contribution to a centuries-old Sino-European cultural dialogue, while also reinforcing his contribution to contemporary Chinese visual culture that began with his inclusion in the Chinese Cultural Olympiad (2008).
Preparation for this work included the creation of CAD models and hand-wrought maquettes. The combination of digital techniques and traditional materials allowed Atkin to explore how designs could be manipulated to suggest acrobatic movement. Atkin achieved an innovative result by slicing horizonal cuts through the sculpture at equal heights in order to rotate each segment along an axis. CAD software was then used to experiment with surface colour and texture to optimise perceptions of movement.
The sculpture was included in the award-winning Sino-EU touring exhibition, Dialogue with the Emperor Qin’s Warriors. Atkin represented the UK alongside 27 representatives of EU nations as part of an exhibition organized by Brussels-based gallery Inspiring Culture who funded his study trip to Xian. The exhibition toured venues in China and Europe, facilitating cross-cultural dialogue between Asia and Europe. The tour received extensive international press coverage and, in 2016, Atkin curated the final leg of the exhibition at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (London).
Artist Comment
Twister (Carved Massive Abstract Tower Sculpture)
by John Atkin
£5,000,000
Since leaving the RCA in London, where Henry Moore personally funded Atkin throughout his MA sculpture course, he has exhibited…
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