Sculptors’ Drawings & Works On Paper is a collaboration between the two galleries based at Kings Place, Pangolin London and Kings Place Gallery. Opening in September the exhibition will span the entire public space at Kings Place over three levels and will include over 100 works on paper dating from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day by both established and emerging sculptors. Works to be included range from that of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, Eduardo Paolozzi and Eduardo Chillida, to Tim Noble & Sue Webster & Sarah Lucas. Sculptors’ Drawings & Works On Paper is intended as a celebration of this specific genre and will be the largest exhibition of its kind to date. It will focus on the unique way that sculptors approach drawing and explore whether there is a difference between sculptors and other traditional disciplines in the treatment of two dimensional works on paper to communicate three dimensional objects. A point that has often been under discussion as illustrated here by Henry Moore:

“There is a general idea that sculptors’ drawings should be diagrammatic studies, without any sense of background behind the object or of any atmosphere around it. That is, the object is stuck on the flat surface of the paper with no attempt to set it in space – and often not even to connect it with the ground, with gravity. And yet the sculptor is as much concerned with space as a painter.”

For many sculptors making is a practical and manual process, however, working in two dimensions is often used to aid the transition from initial thought to a finished form. Varying in degrees of completion –Steve Dilworth’s preparatory sketches, Aristide Maillol’s detailed studies, George Rickey’s working drawings or Wendy Taylor’s highly finished works in their own right - the works on paper in this exhibition reveal a unique and appealing method often used by sculptors to problem-solve through unconventional means.

The exhibition hopes to push the boundaries of the traditional definition of drawing by incorporating collage, printmaking and computer-aided graphics as mediums that sculptors also use to oscillate between two and three dimensions. Indeed diversity of approach is one element that becomes strongly apparent in this exhibition and distinctive techniques can be seen to emerge according to each sculptor’s individual method of practice.

As a niche subject that has been little covered, this exhibition will bring together an extensive body of work that covers many aspects of what sculpture represents today. It will illustrate the diverse field in which a sculptor works through both small intimate notebook sketches as well as much larger working drawings and will offer visitors an insight into the evolving history of this artistic method. By observing these various sculptors works on paper over a broad time period interesting similarities and differences between graphic and sculptural treatment can be clearly seen.

Sculptors’ drawings are a rapidly growing collectors market, yet prices are frequently less than painters’ drawings. As many relate to well known, public or recognized sculptures, they have an enduring appeal and the exhibition at Kings Place will be a unique opportunity for collectors to purchase works from a highly regarded artists at affordable prices. An exclusive Damien Hirst limited edition print created especially for the exhibition will also be available for sale.

A fully illustrated catalogue will also accompany the exhibition.