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Versus Rodin: 4 March to 2 July 2017 – a comparative study



The Art Gallery of South Australia in Adelaide is exhiiting the works of French sculpture Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) from 4 March to 2 July 2017.

Commemorating the 100th year of Rodin’s death, the exhibition ‘Versus Rodin: bodies across space and time’ brings together a selection of his masterpieces in a comparative study of the works of 65 modern artists inspired by Rodin. Each artist focuses on the exploration of the human figure and the ideal human form.

The exhibition not only focuses on the full classical body, but also the fragmented body – the close-up of body features ‘lacking the focal point of a head.’ Rodin broke with tradition with his recognition of the power of the partial or fragmented figure, which he referred to as ‘morceaux.’ The notion of the deconstructed body – taking it apart to examine its composite parts – was a ‘radical modern act’ that continues to fascinate artists.

The body across space and time – the theme of the exhibition – is the pivotal focus on a diversity of mediums and sculptural techniques spanning a century.

The Art Gallery of South Australia acquired 20 bronze sculptures and one drawing by Auguste Rodin in 1996.  The South Australian Government bought the works and gifted them to the gallery. In addition, arts patron William Bowmore donated to the gallery 16 paintings, including those of Garofalo, Ambrosius Benson, Gerritt Dou, Francesco Guardi, Thomas Lawrence, and John Constable.

Highlights of the ‘Versus Rodin’ exhibition include ‘Pierre de Wissant’ and ‘Andrieu d’Andres’ from the sculptural group ‘Monument to the Burghers of Calais; the three shades from Rodin’s uncompleted ‘The Gates of Hell’; ‘The Walking Man’; ‘Iris’, study with head; and ‘Flying Figure.’ 



Tim Silver (1974-), Untitled (Oneirophrenia) (Blue) #5 (2016), concrete marble bust

Guy Maestri (1974-), Xerox no. 11 (2016), painted bronze and concrete
Alison Saar (1956-)



Ugo Rondinone (1964-), nude (2010), cast wax


 
Huma Bhabha (1962-), Privileged Attendant (2015), cork, wood, acrylic paint, oil stick, cardboard


Rodin, Bust of Saint John the Baptist, 1878, bronze

 
Rodin, Kneeling man, 1889, bronze


Rodin, Balzac draped, 1897, recast 1984, bronze


Rodin, Andrieu d’Andres, 1886, recast 1989, bronze


Rodin, Pierre de Wissant, 1886-87, recast 1985, bronze











MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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