Kenneth Armitage, R.A.

Marlborough Fine Art, London, where acquired by the present owner, 10th July 1968

London, Whitechapel Art Gallery, Kenneth Armitage, July - August 1959, cat. no.11, illustrated in the catalogue plate VI (another cast).
Ontario, National Gallery of Canada, Recent British Sculpture,1961-63, cat. no.6, illustrated in the catalogue (another cast) with British Council Tour  to Auckland City Art Gallery and the State Galleries of Australia;
Darmstadt, Germany, Zeugnisse der Angst in der Modernen Kunst, June - September 1963.

Roland Penrose, Kenneth Armitage: Artists of our Time, vol vii, Bodensee-Verlag, Amriswil, Switerland, 1960, illustrated, pl.8 (another cast);
Charles Spencer, Kenneth Armitage: Alecto Monographs 1, Academy Editions, London, 1973, illustrated p.6 (another cast); 
Tamsyn Woollcombe (ed.), Kenneth Armitage: Life and Work, Henry Moore Foundation in association with Lund Humphries, London, 1997, KA46.

Casting residue is visible in the crevices of the work, visible in the catalogue illustration, and an old exhibition label has been adhered to the top of the base at the back of the sculpture, which has discoloured slightly. The work may benefit from a light clean otherwise it appears in excellent overall condition. Please call the department on 0207 293 6424 if you have any questions about the present work.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

'I like sculpture to look as if it happened, and to express an idea as simply as possible. I believe that art is something shared among us all and feel almost apologetic for the effort and specialisation involved in its production. [I] find most satisfying work which derives from careful study and preparation but which is fashioned in an attitude of pleasure and playfulness; or work which is supported by the artist's accumulated experience and knowledge, adapted to the idea of the moment, and carried out with the risk and tension of tightrope walking.' (The Artist, quoted in The New Decade (exh.cat.), Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1955, and reprinted in Charles Spencer, Kenneth Armitage: Alecto Monographs 1, Academy Editions, London, 1973,  p.6)