Anthony Caro

description

An outstanding British sculptor, one of the key figures in the avant-garde art of the country. Sir Anthony Caro was known for his innovative solutions, which were much ahead of their time and set the stage for future changes in three-dimensional art. Being for some time an assistant to his famous compatriot Henry Moore, the sculptor became a follower of his undertakings in the field of avant-garde sculpture, expanding the framework of the traditional idea of this art.

Caro’s most famous works are large abstract sculptures painted in one bright colour and standing on the ground, without any pedestals, allowing the viewer to take part in the composition. The sculptor created his works in accordance with the environment in which they were supposed to be installed. He always insisted on the direct connection of architecture with sculpture, and even coined a special term for works that are at the junction of these two types of art – “Sculpitecture”.

Of great importance were also the many years of Caro’s teaching activity. His unconventional approach to form and space opened up new possibilities and had a great influence on young sculptors. Among his students at different times there were such outstanding personalities as Philip King, Barry Flanagan and Richard Long, called the “new generation” of English sculpture.

Key ideas:

– During the period of work under the leadership of Henry Moore, Caro created figurative works in a simplified synthetic manner. He started working in the style of abstract art after visiting the USA and getting acquainted with the works of Abstract Expressionists, in particular, David Smith, who created huge metal structures.

– Both large-scale and small sculptures Caro made mainly from steel. He used welding to connect individual elements cut from flat metal sheets. The artist painted his works mostly in bright, open colours: blue, red, yellow, and also often used local black. With the help of colours, Caro strengthened the emotional component of his sculptures, creating a certain mood and psychological background.

– From the 1970s, the sculptor began to use large technical items – parts of the plow, propeller blades, etc. These details are recognizable objects. They create the illusion of recognition, which contradicts the abstract form of sculptures. This feature makes the works of Anthony Caro memorable and emotionally expressive.

– Caro’s sculptures are made of disparate components, interconnected only with the help of conditional jumpers. Combinations of various forms create dynamics and expression. They actively interact with the surrounding reality, which seems to become a part of the sculpture, erasing the boundaries between artistic and non-artistic space.

– The artist installed his sculptures directly on the floor, abandoning elevations and pedestals. Thus, Caro placed them in the “real world”, making the works interactive, accessible to the viewer in physical and sensory perception.

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Anthony Caro was born into a Jewish family

Anthony Caro was born into a Jewish family, the youngest of three brothers and sisters. He studied at a private school in Surrey. There he met sculptor Charles Wheeler, who taught him on holidays and instilled a love for the art of sculpture.

He began to study engineering at Christ College in Cambridge

He began to study engineering at Christ College in Cambridge. Like American sculptor David Smith, Caro used his technical skills to create sculptural compositions. During the holidays, he attended Farnham Art School, where he worked under Wheeler.

Entered the art school at the Royal Academy in London

He decided to engage in sculpture professionally and entered the art school at the Royal Academy in London. Here Caro studied traditional sculpture under the guidance of famous Irish sculptor F.E. McWilliam.

Worked in the workshop of Henry Moore

Worked in the workshop of Henry Moore, whose art had a huge impact on the formation of his style of the sculptor. Caro’s works of this period have a figurative expression with prevailing massive forms. At the same time, Caro began to teach sculpture at the St. Martin London School of the Arts.

Caro traveled to the United States

He met famous American art critic Clement Greenberg, who contributed to the re-evaluation of the landmarks of creativity by the sculptor. Thanks to this acquaintance, Caro traveled to the United States, where he was impressed by the work of David Smith and Abstract Expressionists.

He made his first abstract sculptures

After returning to England, the sculptor radically changed his creative style. He made his first abstract sculptures, for which steel sheets and metal objects were used as materials. To connect the parts of the sculptures, the master used industrial welding.

The large solo exhibition of the sculptor

There was a large solo exhibition of the sculptor, at which fifteen abstract steel sculptures were presented. The exhibition was held at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London and had positive reviews from critics.

Worked in the USA

For a year he worked in the USA at the studio of his friend Kenneth Noland. That year, Caro stopped painting the steel components of his compositions in bright colours, as he did before. The sculptor applied the technique of waxing, preserving the colour of the rusty metal in his works. Caro participated in contemporary art exhibitions in Tokyo and New York.

He organized the first Triangle Workshop

Together with Robert Lauder, he organized the first Triangle Workshop, which was attended by thirty sculptors and artists from the USA, England and Canada. This workshop was held annually in Pine Plains (New York) and brought together avant-garde artists from around the world.

The largest retrospective exhibition

The largest retrospective exhibition of Anthony Caro was held. The exhibition, organized in Tokyo on the occasion of the opening of the Museum of Modern Art, featured 113 large-scale sculptural compositions covering various periods of the artist’s work.