Elisabeth Frink A View From Within Exihibition

A unique exhibition of work and an insight into the world of Dame Elisbeth Frink is currently on show in Dorset.

The county where she created her last works has put on an informative exhibition about this leading light in the world of 20th century sculpture.

On show will be over 80 sculptures, drawings and prints, that will explore her artistic process, personal life, and other influences.

Elisabeth was a leading light and a highly gifted and respected female artist. Who’s life is remembered at the County Museum in Dorchester.

Elisabeth Frink A View From Within Exhibition In Dorchester

Where the exhibition will run until the 21st of April 2024.

Elisabeth Frink A View From Within Exhibition is on show at the Dorset Museum, Dorchester.

A Small Dorset Village

Woolland a tiny village in the Blackmore Vale of Dorset. A place was where she spent time creating massive works and others very tiny ones too!

Arranged thematically it cover her personal and artistic life at Woolland. A recreation of part of her her studio too.

Elisabeth Frink tools on display Dorset Museum Dorchester.

The artist’s creative methods are explained, along with insights into her profound artistic vision.

Through her sculptures in the exhibition it explores her intimate connection with the natural environment.

Her contemplation of human-animal interdependence as well as her spirituality and humanist beliefs too.

Elisabeth Frink A View From Within Exihibition is on show at Dorset Museum Dorchester.

Plus her dedication to human rights advocacy and finally her enduring legacy.

Creating large armatures or frames she would cover and carve the applied plaster until she was happy with the form.

This large work on loan from Yorkshire.

Her works were then cast in bronze many of which have ended up in public spaces located all around the UK.

One key work is the ‘Dorset Martyrs’.  Which can be seen not in the exhibition itself. But in South Walks just ten minutes walk away.

‘Dorset Martyrs’ a work by her in the streets of Dorchester.

Over the years Dame Elisabeth has been based in London, France and before she died the rural retreat of Woolland where in the mid 1970’s she found and the converted a tumble down house and stables into a large workspace along with her husband Alex.

In her then newly constructed giant studio she was able to scale up her works if she wanted.

Dame Elisabeth Worked With Large And Tiny Works

Something she often did and at times leaving her dwarfed when she worked alongside them.

As a sculptor she was unique. For other leading sculptors at the time would often use assistants to develop the works after the initial creation by the artist.

However, not in her case.

In a Frink work you can be sure that the artist herself made that mark. Carved or moulded by her hand!

Samaller works too on show at the Elisabeth Frink A View From Within Exhibition.

Growing up in Suffolk it was likely that she would be attracted to rural life and hence her desire to settle in Dorset.

Even The Music She Listened To

Even the music she would listen to whilst at work is played in the background of the exhibition area.

Elizabeth Selby, Director of Collections and Public Engagement at Dorset Museum, said: “Elisabeth Frink was an extraordinary artist who explored what it meant to be human through her work.

“This exhibition will portray Frink in a more intimate light. Revealing her inner world and the major themes she explored in her sculptures, prints and drawings.

“We are thrilled to be able to display more of the works we acquired from the Elisabeth Frink Estate in 2020.  And explore Frink’s connections with Dorset, where she lived and worked from 1976 until her death in 1993.”

The exhibition is supported by the Arts Council England NPO scheme through the Wessex Museums Partnership. Other funders include the JP Marland Trust, the Henry Moore Foundation, the Ann James Art Fund, The Finnis Scott Foundation, and the Fine Family Foundation.
Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within is sponsored by Duke’s Fine Art Auctioneers, Dorchester

Many items have been loaned for this exhibition including those from: The Dorset History Centre :Yorkshire Sculpture Park :The Ingram Collection of Modern British Art (London) :Tully and Bree Jammet.