John Robinson (sculptor)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Robinson (4 May 1935 – 6 April 2007) was a British sculptor and co-founder of the Bradshaw Foundation. Accounts of his work may be seen at the Robinson estate website,[1] the website of the Centre for the Popularisation of Mathematics[2] and the June and July 2007, issues of Hyperseeing.[3] Among other distinctions, he was the Official Sculptor for the British Olympic Committee in 1988, and a University of Wales Honorary Fellow, 1992.
Figurative sculptures
Robinson first made a name for himself with representational pieces. His figurative bronzes ranged in scope and scale from life-size commissioned sculptures of children[4] to athletic sculptures, and included a commissioned bust of Queen Elizabeth[5] and another of the Queen Mother. His representational sports figure Acrobats[6] (1980, 5 metres) was first mounted at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Maui, Hawaii. There are another 7 examples around the world, one of which is located outside the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. Another of his athletic sculptures, Hammer Thrower,[7] may be seen at the United States Sports Academy, Daphne, Alabama, and in Queen Victoria Gardens, Melbourne, Australia. A third version was outside the Bowring Building in Tower Hill, London, now Tower Place, but its current location is unknown. Robinson was Official Sculptor for the British Olympic Committee in 1988. His Gymnast[8] is at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, donated by the Australian Olympic Committee.
Abstract symbolic sculptures and tapestries
In 1975, after listening to a Mozart violin concerto, an abstract form came into his mind, which he then translated into a sculpture. This Adagio[9] was the first of his non-figurative sculptures. Robinson then embarked on a series of abstract sculptures with the aim of symbolizing human values and our concepts of the dynamic processes which shape our lives. In this 'Universe Series' of symbolic sculptures and tapestries, which comprises over 100 works, he combined scientific and mathematical principles with artistic aesthetic. One example is Joy of Living[10] (1993), a curving band of stainless steel. The symbolic Elation[11] (1983) conveys the punching of the fist in triumph.
A number of Robinson's sculptures show scientific concepts, such as matter/antimatter in Janus,[12] evolution in Evolution[13] the explosions of stars in StarBurst.[14] He produced sculptures related to fiber bundles[15] and to Borromean rings.[16] He has also made a set of tapestries,[17] woven in Aubusson, France.
One of Robinson's best-known symbolic sculptures is Bonds of Friendship[18] (1979), which he dedicated as symbolizing the notion that "trust is the basis of peace". A 1.5m x 1m edition of Bonds, in polished bronze, was unveiled[19] in 1979 in Sydney Cove by the Governor General of Australia, to commemorate the landing in 1788 of the First Fleet. An analogous sculpture, but patinated to represent the Old Country, was unveiled in Portsmouth by Queen Elizabeth. Robinson said that 'Bonds' "symbolises the friendship that exists between the two countries, as well as between my patrons and myself, which has enriched my life beyond measure and made the Symbolic Sculptures possible".
Selections of Robinson's work have been exhibited at the universities of Leeds, Bangor, Swansea, Liverpool, Wadham College Oxford, Churchill College Cambridge, London, Barcelona, Zaragoza, and at several sites in the U.S. His symbolic sculptures have been donated to a number of universities, including Bangor[20] (4), Cambridge[21] (5), Durham (3), Oxford (2), Macquarie[22] (1). Many of his sculptures can be viewed on web sites, including the Robinson estate website.[1] A discussion of Robinson's work within the context of mathematical principles can be seen at the website of the Centre for the Popularisation of Mathematics[2] hosted by the University of Wales, Bangor.
