Barry Flanagan and the hare are indelibly linked, having first appeared in Flanagan’s work in 1979 and continuing to preoccupy him for the next 30 years. He spoke of his sculptures of hares in an interview with Judith Bumpus on the occasion of his exhibition at the 1982 Venice Biennale:
'Thematically the choice of the hare is really quite a rich and expressive sort of mode; the conventions of the cartoon and the investment of human attributes into the animal world is a very well practised device, in literature and film etc., and is really quite poignant, and on a practical level, if you consider what conveys situation and meaning and feeling in a human figure, the range of expression is in fact far more limited than the device of investing an animal -a hare especially - with the expressive attributes of a human being.’ (Barry Flanagan in conversation with Judith Bumpus, Tate Gallery, London, Barry Flanagan: Prints 1970-1983, exh. cat., 1986, p. 93)
Instantly recognisable as a work by Flanagan, Prom, conceived in 2001, is a quintessential work by the artist - full of movement, energy and joyfulness, and reflects the artist’s interest in dance and music. Flanagan collaborated with the Strider dance assemblage in London, choreographing two dance performances, and movement and dance elements are forever present in his hares. Furthermore, Flanagan’s work of this later period is some of the most tactile that he ever produced. Indeed Prom invites the observer to pick it up to handle its smooth linear forms and contouring lines, inviting the viewer into the frivolity and wit of the work and epitomising the elements for which Flanagan is best known.
Lyon & Turnbull are delighted to offer several auctions a year across the UK featuring to Modern British painting, sculpture, prints and drawings - including MODERN MADE in London. These Modern British art auctions feature works from the likes of Walter Sickert and the Camden Town Group to Terry Frost and the St Ives School, we also handle selected works by all of 20th century Europe’s major figures and movements.