Kenneth Armitage British, 1916-2002

'Dancer' was made when Armitage was serving in the Royal Artillery between 1939 and 1946. He had enlisted immediately at the outbreak of war and taught aircraft and tank identification, which involved making models and silhouettes. His time in the Royal Artillery can be seen to have had a profound impact on his work throughout his career, building on his awareness of shape and ability to capture motion. 'Dancer' is a rare work from this significant period that formulated his vision as an artist. In 'Kenneth Armitage: Life and Work' by Tamsyn Woollcombe published in 1997, there is an image of Armitage and his future wife Joan Moore in their studio while at the Slade in the late 1930s. In this photo one can see a plaster for a stylistically similar standing nude, suggesting the form of his work during this period. Another similar work is 'Standing Woman, 1946-47', a rare cast bronze from the era. You can see similarities in the animated qualities and rounded female form of later works such as 'Single Figure with Drawing, 1972'. Kenneth Armitage would go on to become one of the most important British Sculptors of the 20th century. In 1952, Armitage’s career was launched by being included in Herbert Read’s ‘New Aspects of British Sculpture’ group exhibition for the British pavilion at Venice Biennale, alongside artists such as Lynn Chadwick, Reg Butler and Geoffrey Clarke. At the 29th Venice Biennale in 1958 he was awarded the prize for best British Sculptor under 45. He exhibited widely both in Britain and internationally and in 1994 he became a Royal Academician.