Description
A rare and highly unusual interlocking ‘mask’ sculpture, by artist Brian Willsher.
Sculpted from tropical hardwood and standing on a mahogany base, it beautifully demonstrates his unique method of using a bandsaw to create his work.
But In 1968, the Uk Customs and Excise rejected Brian Willsher’s art and instead declared it ‘non-sculpture’ and ‘household decoration’, and thus slapped a 40% tax his sales.
Artist Sir Henry Moore vehemently disagreed, and in defence of Willsher declared it “Pure sculpture, indeed… more than that, memorable sculpture!”
The ruling sparked a national debate and raised the question ‘What is art?’, fuelled in part by Willsher’s methods, and compounded by his lack of formal training.
Although this decision was eventually reversed, the incident left him bankrupt, and a disillusioned Brian Willsher turned his back on the art market and didn’t exhibit again until the 1990s.
During this time he still created his sculptures from his home in Catford, South London, and for many years sold works (of varying quality) from stalls in Covent Garden and Hampstead.
But his art was always admired by those in the know, and along with that of his great East London contemporary, Ron Hitchins, has steadily increased in popularity since their deaths in the last decade.
My Father once affectionately referred to it as “Geezer Art”, and these accessible forms of sculpture, produced by working men in cellars and sheds with a desire to express themselves against the backdrop of an increasingly permissive 1960s London, are now being appreciated and enjoyed by many more than just ‘geezers’.
This striking and somewhat bizarre example comes in excellent vintage condition, and is signed and dated 1999.
*the small blemish on the top left of the piece (pictured) is a knot in the wood.
Total H32.5cm (base 20cm x 19cm x 4cm)
Free Uk delivery by Royal Mail Special Delivery fully insured, and please feel free to contact me for an international delivery quote.
Viewings welcome in London SE24.
