Richard Deacon (with Matthew Perry)

"The series of wooden works titled Under The Weather, 5 in total, were made between 2016 and 2019. Matthew Perry and I have been twisting pieces of wood for a long time and, particularly when starting from straight pieces in bundles twisted like sticks of barley sugar had found an endlessly rich material and vocabulary to be working with. The sculptures in the series Under The Weather all began by standing up a group of such twisted bundles in a specific combination. The work continued by figuring out ways to connect the tops and bottoms together so as to give a continuity to the whole ensemble. The uprights themselves were then deconstructed in various ways to give differing rhythms to way the spiralling line seemed to move and to activate the spaces both within and between the uprights. As humans we are, of course, vertical entities gathered together and quickened by light, interconnected and active outside under the weather. This is how we are situated.

Under The Weather #4 is a major work, it has never been publicly shown before. It is a privilege to be able to offer this work to an auction in aid of Ukrainian refugees who are themselves indeed in the harshest way in the hope that funds raised can really help provide some vital support".

Richard Deacon, 7 May 2022

The Consignor is donating 100% of the hammer price from the sale of this and other designated artworks, to be sold during Sotheby’s Contemporary Discoveries online sale held from May 13-19, 2022, to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a not-for-profit humanitarian aid organization that is helping to support families affected by the crisis in Ukraine. In addition, in relation to these designated artworks, Sotheby’s will donate 1) 100% of its Overhead Premium to IRC, and 2a) where the artwork is consigned by Ukrainian artist(s), 100% of its Buyer's Premium to such artist(s), and 2b) for all other artworks, its Buyers Premium, after deducting expenses, to IRC. No portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible. For more information about the IRC, visit www.rescue.org