Robert Adams

Gimpel Fils, London, where acquired by the present owner, 5th May 1960

London, Gimpel Fils, Fifteen British Artists: Works of the Fifties, 19th January-27th February 1988 (another cast);
London, Gimpel Fils, Robert Adams: A Retrospective, 25th February-5th April 2003, cat. no.23 (another cast);
London, Osborne Samuel, Nine Abstract Artists, 10th March-9th April 2005, cat. no.1, illustrated (unpaginated) (another cast).

Alastair Grieve, The Sculpture of Robert Adams, Lund Humphries, London, 1992, cat. no.198, Opus 52, illustrated p.61 and p.175 (another cast).

Dirt has gathered in some of the crevices. There are a few marks of surface matter and staining in places across the sculpture. Otherwise the work is in good overall condition. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

Born in Northampton, Robert Adams studied at the Northampton School of Art (1933-44) and taught himself to sculpt in wood after serving as an engineer during WWII. He held his first solo exhibition in 1947 at Gimpel Fils, London. In 1949 he began to work in metal and subsequently became associated with the group of so-called Constructivists such as Victor Pasmore, Adrian Heath, Anthony Hill and Kenneth and Mary Martin. He was awarded a Rockefeller Award from the Institute of International Education in 1950 and for the 1951 Festival of Britain he was commissioned to produce a 3m high carving. Adams represented Britain at the Venice Biennale in 1962, showing alongside Hubert Dalwood, and a major retrospective of his work was held at the Camden Arts Centre, London, in 1971.