ELISABETH FRINK : THE UNKNOWN FRINK 

Dame Elizabeth Frink, Tully (unfinished), 1992, Bronze, height 28.5cm

A major new exhibition features many significant yet largely unseen works by Elisabeth Frink. THE UNKNOWN FRINK offers a rare opportunity to view pieces from the 50s, 60s and 70s that have remained in private collections.

Highlights start with the bronze sculpture, Bird, conceived in 1952. It’s an early example from the Geometry of Fear, the school that represented Britain at the 1952 Venice Biennale and is currently the subject of a spotlight at the Hayward Gallery.

Another revelation comes with five newly revealed Goggled Heads – Frink’s angry response to the atrocities of the begoggled generals during the Algerian War. These examples are notably smaller at 9 cm (3.5 in.) in height. They were originally created for a chess set, yet they still retain the authority of the more familiar ‘Heads’.

THE UNKNOWN FRINK also premieres a series of four Horse and Man pencil and washes. Dating from the 70s, her peak for recognised equestrian work, they further justify the high regard she retains for the depiction of horses. The fluid, expressive gestures reveal a subject close to her heart.

Other noteworthy pieces include a Birdman sculpture and drawing study (both 60s) plus a bronze portrait of Georgette Collins (late 50s) – the latter a familiar face from the Chelsea crowd of the era.