The Nature of Arp

Sculptor of Abstraction

It all began with a small bronze sculpture with which Peggy Guggenheim founded her legendary collection. “Tête et coquille” was made by Hans Arp (1886-1966) in 1933: "The first work of art I bought for my future collection was an Arp sculpture," the famous patron of the arts wrote later in her memoirs, "Arp took me to the foundry where the sculpture was made, and I was immediately in love when I held the small figure in my hands. At that moment I knew I wanted to own it." Until the beginning of September, the exhibition "The Nature of Arp" with 70 works can be seen in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni in Venice.

Sculptures made of wood, bronze and marble, painted wooden reliefs, collages, drawings, tapestries and books by this important modern artist and revolutionary co-founder of the Dada movement are shown in Italy - curated by Catherine Craft. Jean (Hans) Arp was a poet, sculptor, Dadaist and Surrealist and above all an experimenter on all levels. In his career of over 60 years he developed his special artistic language of curvy, seemingly organic forms that oscillate fluently between abstraction and figurativeness. Arp's work has influenced many generations of artists after him.

Image: Hans (Jean) Arp 'Wolkentier' (Cloud Animal) 1961 bronze

© Galerie Thomas Modern 2020