Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, R.A.

Commissioned by Sir Terence Conran for Habitat, Wallingford, 1974-1994

Wallingford, Habitat Playground, until 1994;
Wakefield, Bretton Hall, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Eduardo Paolozzi: A Birthday Celebration, August - October 1994, then on long-term loan until 2010.

Robin Spencer (ed.), Eduardo Paolozzi: Writings and Interviews, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000, p.305.

Structurally sound. There are surface scratches and abrasions about the work - the most significant ones, which appear more recent, are to the central element under the inverted U-bend and a vertical scratch to the outside of one of the cube corners. One corner of the piece appears to have had another T-shape element attached to it, since removed, possibly by the artist. Some of the joinery in the metal has opened very slightly, but these appear stable. The work is dirty and will benefit from cleaning but it appears in good condition overall. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present lot.
"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."

Some of the components of Kalasan (titled by Paolozzi in 1994), and particularly the base structure, can be seen in the lower right hand corner of the Inventory of pre-fabricated aluminium units which was drawn by Ray Watson (dated 1 November 1975). Ray Watson had then recently joined Paolozzi as his model maker and principal assistant, which he remained until his death in 2000. Although he was mostly involved in assisting with the relief sculpture Paolozzi was making in 1975, one of his first tasks was to make inventories and quantify Paolozzi’s ‘vocabulary of aluminium forms’ in Ipswich.

Robin Spencer