HINDSIGHT 2020: Brian Falconbridge

About

This compelling retrospective exhibition celebrates 50 years of the creative output of East Anglian sculptor and academic, Professor Brian Falconbridge, charting a personal and professional journey from early student days through a lifetime of making and mentoring. 

Though a sculptor, his inspiration derives from European painting from the 17th to the 20th century via artists such as Velasquez, Zurburan, Schwitters, Morandi, Cotan, de Chirico and Picasso and movements including Dada and Russian Constructivism.  At the same time, the influence of Japanese thought, literature and culture are reflected in his attention to scale and simplicity in his sculpture and in the brushwork in the works on paper. The interest and insight to be gained in this assembled body of work lies in being able to view early student work that includes the transformation of commonplace everyday objects with a nod to the ‘surreal’ and then to be able to follow the imagery through as it takes on a range of influences, until it is ultimately pared down and formalised into both wooden constructions and bronze casts incorporating the theme of ‘still life’. 

Complementing the sculpture is an abundant collection of drawings, both polychrome and black and white, including a major installation comprising 102 works on paper.  Some are small and intricate, some urgent and gestural and others, larger, highly considered and ordered. In drawing together this representative body of 50 years’ work by Brian Falconbridge, HINDSIGHT: 2020 evidences both commitment to the pursuit of creativity through the practice of Fine Art and the continuity and development of his ideas as an artist.