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Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, 1924-2005. Artist
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Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, 1924-2005. Artist 1966
  • Scottish Art
Of Italian descent, Paolozzi was born in Leith. He studied in Edinburgh and London and spent two years in Paris from 1947, where he produced enigmatic, bronze sculptures reminiscent of those by Giacometti. During the same period he made a series of dada and surrealist-inspired collages in which magazine advertisements, cartoons and machine parts are combined, thus anticipating the concerns of Pop Art. Alongside teaching at various art schools he developed his printmaking and sculpture. Paolozzi was particularly interested in the mass media, science and technology. This lively portrait is very similar to one which featured in `The Scotsman? on the 16th April 1966. It accompanied an article which discussed Paolozzi?s exhibition at the Scottish National Modern One that year.

Glossary Open

Dada

A radical artistic and literary movement that was a reaction against the cultural climate that supported the First World War. The Dadaists took an anti-establishment attitude, questioning art's status and favouring performance and collage over traditional art techniques. Many Dadaists went on to become involved with Surrealism.

Pop Art

An art movement of the 1950s to the 1970s that was primarily based in Britain and the United States. Pop artists are so called because of their use of imagery from popular culture. They also introduced techniques and materials from the commercial world, such as screen-printing, to fine art practice.

Surrealism

A literary and artistic movement founded by the poet André Breton in 1924. Many of the associated artists, such as Max Ernst and Jean Arp, had previously been involved with Dadaism. The movement sought to challenge conventions through the exploration of the subconscious mind, invoking the power of dreams and elements of chance. Cultural hierarchies were challenged by the combination of diverse elements in collages and sculptural assemblages. The movement is also notable for the collaborations between artists and writers evident in the Surrealists' many publications.

Dada, Pop Art, Surrealism

Details

  • Acc. No. PG 3052
  • Medium Pen and ink with pencil on paper
  • Size 35.20 x 25.20 cm
  • Credit Purchased 1997

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Scottish Art