Ice Age Sculpture

Source: Art Newspaper

Henry Moore Institute

Ice Age Sculpture 

Dates: 10 Apr 10 - 20 Jun 10

Categories: Archaeology & Ancient art

Dates: 10 Apr 10 - 20 Jun 10
Categories: Archaeology & Ancient art
Address: 74 The Headrow Leeds LS1 3AH
Tel: +44 (0)113 246 7467 WebsiteThis exhibition dispels the widespread misconception that art began with the Egyptians.

The Henry Moore Institute (HMI) presents a focused display of 18 Ice Age sculptures
drawn from the British Museum’s large collection of prehistoric objects.
“Museums recontextualise objects for various reasons.

We wanted to remove them from their usual context and look at them not as
artefacts but as works of art,” said the show’s co-curator Stephen
Feeke, formerly at the HMI before his recent move to the New Art Centre
in Wiltshire. The bone, antler, ivory and stone objects, some of which
date to 13,000 years ago, were created in south-west France at the same
time as the famous cave paintings of Lascaux, Niaux and Altamira.

Some pieces have decorative elements etched onto their surface, some
were carved in the round and others show minimal manipulation. “These
objects show that these people had the ability to draw and sculpt with
enormous confidence whether they were copying nature or adapting natural
forms to suit their needs,” said co-curator Dr Jill Cook from the
British Museum. The pieces will be presented in one case, “almost like a
­cabinet of curiosities”, said Feeke, adding: “the display begins with
easy to recognise pieces and progresses to more abstract sculptures.”
Among the highlights on display is the Montastruc Mammoth, a
13,000-year-old spear throwing device carved from the antler of a
reindeer and a river pebble that has been slightly modified to create
the female silhouette. “The 20th-century eye is familiar with these
abstract figures.

Looking at these objects within the HMI, visitors will be able to see that the modern is not so new,” said Cook.

The Art Newspaper has learned that the British Museum is planning a
large Ice Age exhibition in autumn 2011. E.S.

The Montastruc Mammoth