Piran

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Medium - Bronze
Date - 1958
Size - 74 inches (188 cms) height
Edition - Unique
Exhibited - Moore Competition, Bradford (1959). Redfern Gallery, London (1960). The Waddington Galleries, London (1961). Contemporary British Sculpture, Arts Council (1962).
Collections - This sculpture was originally purchased for the Battersea Training College and is variously listed as being on location at Clapham Common North Side in London. The college was absorbed through various amalgamations into what is now the London Southbank University. The university has no record of the work. it's current whereabouts are unknown.
Auction details -
Publications - Illustrated Glynn Vivian Gallery Catalogue, Swansea (1979)
Notes. After being acquired by the school within a day or two the sculpture had been stolen from its plinth, however, the thief was caught and Piran was placed in store. It also had to be returned to Denis for repair as it had been bent.
I believe the title Piran is a reference to St Piran who is one of the patron saints of Cornwall. With the title in mind is this an early attempt by Denis at abstracting the human form?
This was the first of a series of highly polished bronzes that launched Denis's solo career after leaving the employ of Barbara Hepworth.

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