Ron Robertson-Swann
Encyclopedia
Ron Robertson-Swann OAM
(born 1941, Sydney
), is an Australian sculptor, best known for his controversial abstract public sculpture Vault
(1980). His sculpture has been described as being in the Anthony Caro
style http://www.artcollection.unsw.edu.au/sculpture_walk, which he adopted after studying at St Martins School of Art, London, in the 1960s. He studied under Lyndon Dadswell and was an assistant to Henry Moore
http://www.randm.net.au/BBPages/Vault.htm. He works part-time as a lecturer at the National Art School
and is the artistic adviser to the popular annual exhibition Sculpture by the Sea
http://www.sculpturebythesea.com/html/history.htm. He was a founding member of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council
http://nationalgallery.gov.au/Exhibition/SculpturePrize03/Default.cfm?MnuID=6&JudgeID=5 and has won numerous awards including the Comalco Invitational Sculpture Award, the Transfeld Prize and the Alice Prize.
Graeme Sturgeon, the pre-eminent Australian sculpture historian and critic, described Robertson-Swann in 1980 as “the most consistent of the Classic Formalist
, that is, the one most concerned to produce a sculpture which, while obviously of its era, transcends considerations of style in search of a timeless sense of rightness.” http://www.randm.net.au/BBPages/Vault.htm
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 1941, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
), is an Australian sculptor, best known for his controversial abstract public sculpture Vault
Vault (sculpture)
Vault is a public sculpture located in Melbourne, Australia. The work of sculptor Ron Robertson-Swann, Vault is an abstract, minimalist sculpture built of large thick flat polygonal sheets of prefabricated steel, assembled in a way that suggests dynamic movement...
(1980). His sculpture has been described as being in the Anthony Caro
Anthony Caro
Sir Anthony Alfred Caro, OM, CBE is an English abstract sculptor whose work is characterised by assemblages of metal using 'found' industrial objects.-Background and early life:...
style http://www.artcollection.unsw.edu.au/sculpture_walk, which he adopted after studying at St Martins School of Art, London, in the 1960s. He studied under Lyndon Dadswell and was an assistant to Henry Moore
Henry Moore
Henry Spencer Moore OM CH FBA was an English sculptor and artist. He was best known for his semi-abstract monumental bronze sculptures which are located around the world as public works of art....
http://www.randm.net.au/BBPages/Vault.htm. He works part-time as a lecturer at the National Art School
National Art School
The National Art School is an art school in Sydney, Australia. It is a Public Company Limited by Guarantee with a board of directors. It has Institutional Registration and Course Accreditation supported by the DET Higher Education Directorate....
and is the artistic adviser to the popular annual exhibition Sculpture by the Sea
Sculpture by the Sea
Sculpture by the Sea is a major annual outdoor sculpture exhibition that is open to the public for no cost, featuring sculptures made by Australian and international artists....
http://www.sculpturebythesea.com/html/history.htm. He was a founding member of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council
Australia Council
The Australia Council, informally known as the Australia Council for the Arts, is the official arts council or arts funding body of the Government of Australia.-Function:...
http://nationalgallery.gov.au/Exhibition/SculpturePrize03/Default.cfm?MnuID=6&JudgeID=5 and has won numerous awards including the Comalco Invitational Sculpture Award, the Transfeld Prize and the Alice Prize.
Graeme Sturgeon, the pre-eminent Australian sculpture historian and critic, described Robertson-Swann in 1980 as “the most consistent of the Classic Formalist
Formalism (art)
In art theory, formalism is the concept that a work's artistic value is entirely determined by its form--the way it is made, its purely visual aspects, and its medium. Formalism emphasizes compositional elements such as color, line, shape and texture rather than realism, context, and content...
, that is, the one most concerned to produce a sculpture which, while obviously of its era, transcends considerations of style in search of a timeless sense of rightness.” http://www.randm.net.au/BBPages/Vault.htm