Eduardo Paolozzi

Minimal Snail on a Primary Structure

About this artwork

This sculpture was one of a series of spoofs on modern art made by Paolozzi in 1971 for his retrospective exhibition at the Tate Gallery in London. The red sculpture was based on a work by the American minimalist artist Donald Judd. By adding a child’s toy snail to the top of the structure, Paolozzi humorously removes the seriousness and gravity of minimalist sculpture, true to the tradition of surrealism. The combination of ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture - the artistic and the everyday, is seen throughout his oeuvre.

Updated before 2020

see media
  • artist:
    Eduardo Paolozzi (1924 - 2005) Scottish
  • title:
    Minimal Snail on a Primary Structure
  • date created:
    1971
  • materials:
    Wood, metal and paint
  • measurements:
    15.50 x 12.70 x 29.00 cm (figure size)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Presented by Eduardo Paolozzi
  • accession number:
    GMA.A.40.1/2537
  • gallery:
  • subject:
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Eduardo Paolozzi

Eduardo Paolozzi