‘Sculpture is now a complex, diverse and exciting activity, moving and matching the complexity of the world’ — Edward Allington 1997
Sculptures, photographs, drawings, antique ledgers, motorbike parts and toy dinosaurs are part of a new exhibition at UCL Art Museum, celebrating the legacy of British artist Edward Allington.
This exhibition will serve as the first installment of UCL’s Year of Public Sculpture, which will explore what sculpture means, as critical conceptual devices spanning multiple forms, from traditional materials to sound, performance and digital media.
The exhibition is book-ended by one of Allington’s earliest works as a student of ceramics and his final public work in the UK: a collaboration with artist and fellow Slade Professor, Jo Volley. Their drawing has been scaled-up to be 7.5m high to wrap around a pop-up structure in the courtyard of UCL. The work features classical columns, as well as drawing and building instruments, which are overlaid on a chart depicting the growth of UCL in its first 100 years. Inscribed with the UCL motto Cuncti adsint meritaeque expectent praemia palmae (Let all come who by merit deserve the most reward) the piece reflects upon the university’s development.
Edward Allington: In pursuit of sculpture is curated by Dr Andrea Fredericksen, Curator, UCL Art Museum and Dr Nina Pearlman, Head of UCL Art Collections.
*Quote: Edward Allington, A method for sorting cows: [essays, 1993-97] Manchester: Metropolitan University, 1997, p.12.