Callipyge (abstract sculpture) by sculptor Ian Campbell-Briggs

CALLIPYGE

(Figurative and Abstract Sculpture)

The sculpture was specifically made for an exhibition in Vallauris on the Côte d’Azur where Picasso had a studio. The theme was In Movement and no dimension could be greater than 15cm. Due to the connection with Picasso, I chose to make a formalised linear planar abstraction of a pelvis in contrapposto.  Whilst in Vallauris Picasso reinterpreted the masters. So I chose the Callipyge as inspiration. The original Greek sculpture shows the goddess looking back over her shoulder, and the name literally means Venus of the beautiful buttocks. My version concentrated on the significant form of the title and the implied movement of the original fulfilled the theme. This was the first time that I welded stainless steel and the process became complicated due to tiny lengths of some of the sections. The sculpture was exhibited at Gallerie Aqui Siam Ben and is now in a private collection.

Stainless Steel.

H 15, W 14, D 12cm.

Royal Society of Sculptors