Public Art Debate

Why do public art commissions spark such controversy? wonders the Whitechapel Gallery and attempts to answer its own question with Sculptors Papers from the Henry Moore Institute Archive. Shown is Laurence Bradshaw in his studio sculpting the clay model for his Karl Marx Memorial (1956) destined for Highgate Cemetery, where it became subject to both pilgrimage and attack. Jacob Epstein’s explicit nudes for the British Medical Association also became a battleground. Too rude! The display runs in the Pat Matthews Gallery (Gallery 4) until 22 February 2015, admission free (CLICK). London artists at least 26 years old might like to know that the Gallery has issued a Call For Entries for its next summer open show. The closing date for entries is 12 December (CLICK).