Maquette II Sitting Couple on Bench

Lynn Chadwick redefined the way human forms can be represented in sculpture, and was particularly interested in paired figures, having first approached the theme in the 1950s. It continued to occupy him throughout his career. He initially explored the human form by looking in detail at how a figure moves and at the stances they might take, but in the 1970s he started to standardise these figures. Eventually, Chadwick developed a kind of visual code, adopting a triangle and square head as a shorthand device for the symbolisation of the male and female forms.

Chadwick has discussed the reasons for blanked faces in his work: he understood body language to have a far greater power in conveying mood and character than facial features, which he felt to be limiting. Commenting in 1991, the sculptor revealed 'the important thing in my figures is always the attitude - what the figures are expressing through their actual stance. They talk, as it were, and this is something a lot of people don't understand' (the artist in an interview with Barrie Gavin broadcast on HTV West, 1991).

We are very grateful to Sarah Chadwick for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.