Patricia Lawrence
Patricia Lawrence
Woman Reading
19×23×8cm bronze
$3300
Patricia Lawrence was born in 1930 and graduated from Adelaide University with a Science Degree, majoring in Math and Physics. It was not until 1983 that she took up an interest in sculpture, attending classes at the Art Institute, New Brunswick, and the Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA. Upon her return to Australia, Patricia completed two years’ study at the Tom Bass School, Sydney. After a period of working with Kim Mahood and working independently, she travelled to New York and studied at the Sculpture Center Studios in Manhattan. Here, she undertook classes in stone carving, portrait and figure studies, and drawing for sculpture. Several institutions including the University of New South Wales, the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Sydney, and the University of New England have her works.
Abstract figurative forms, an interest in the distribution of mass in space, and a concern for conveying human emotions are the hallmarks of Patricia Lawrence’s artistic practice. Working in the lost wax casting technique, Patricia creates reductive, modernist influenced sculptures that capture states of repose and muse on human relationships. Sand piece moulding is a second technique used by Patricia with interlocking moulds made from a sand-based mixture to produce a bronze impression with a fine texture. During 1990, Patricia spent three months at the Artists’ Collective Workshop at Nacka in Stockholm, Sweden. It was during this period that her work was influenced by the Bulgarian sculptor Stoyan Valev, as she worked on classical abstract compositions based on the torso and head. Since 2012, she has created abstract forms some based on the environment.
Sculpting the human figure seemed to be appropriate before moving off into other areas. It has remained as an endless, fascinating challenge. My response to this challenge over the years has varied using both representational and abstract forms, ranging from miniature to large-scale outdoor work. Many of the abstract sculptures since 2012 have been unrelated to the human figure, but rely on integrated, interacting forms.
The challenge is to suggest feelings, activity, and human and other relationships in a sculptural way. This involves ideas of line, volume, space, rhythm and stillness.
My natural environment, studies and life itself have all influenced the way I conceive and carry out these ideas.
A few of my sculptures are carved in stone. Most of them are made first in clay or plaster, depending on the size. A mould, then a positive are made, either by me or at Crawford’s foundry. Finally, the sculpture is cast in bronze at the foundry, using the lost wax method and/or sandcasting.
Patricia Lawrence
Patricia Lawrence
The Hat
12×13×11cm bronze
$3000
Patricia Lawrence
Woman
90×40×50cm bronze
$18000
Patricia Lawrence
Maquette for Family
39×28×17cm bronze
$5280
Patricia Lawrence
Born in Adelaide 1930
Lives & works in Sydney
1983 Art Institute of New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
1983 Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
1984-85 Tom Bass School of Sculpture, Sydney
1987-88 Sculpture Centre Studios, New York, USA
1988-89 Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney
1990 Worked in Canada, and in Sweden at the Artists’ Collective Workshop, Stockholm
Exhibitions & Prizes
since 1991 – numerous group shows at Robin Gibson Gallery including the annual group sculpture survey
2022 Solo Exhibtion, Robin Gibson Gallery
2020 Solo Exhibtion, Robin Gibson Gallery
2018 Three decades of Sculpture, Robin Gibson Gallery
2017 Harbour Sculpture, Woolwich, Sydney
2017 Sculpture in the Valley, Kangaroo Valley, NSW
2016 Solo Exhibition, Robin Gibson Gallery
2016 Eclectica Art Show, Frencham School, Mittagong, NSW
2015 Art in the Valley, Kangaroo Valley – First Prize for Indoor Sculpture
2007- 2015 Miniature Sculpture Exhibition, Defiance Gallery, Sydney
2010 Solo Exhibition, Robin Gibson Gallery
2006 Sculpture in the Vineyards, Wollombi Valley, NSW
2002 & 2004 Annual Sculpture Exhibition, Maria Perides Gallery, Brisbane
1998 East Coast Sculpture Show
1997 Contemporary Art Fair, Canberra (Beaver Galleries)
1993 Beaver Galleries ‘Breaking the Mould’, Canberra
1990 & 1991 Spring Exhibition, Robin Gibson Gallery
1990, 1992 & 1993 Sculptors’ Society Annual Exhibitions, Sydney
1989 Julian Ashton Art School Annual Exhibition, Sydney
1988 Annual Exhibition, Sculpture Centre Studios, New York
1984 Tom Bass Sculpture School Exhibition, Sydney
Collections
Wilfred Laurier University, Ontario, Canada
University of New South Wales “ commission of major outdoor sculpture
Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Westmead
University of New England, Armidale, NSW
Private Collections throughout Australia and USA
Bibliography
A Dictionary of Women Artists of Australia, Max Germaine: Craftsman House 1991
Artists and Galleries of Australia, Max Germaine: Macquarie MultiMedia, CD-ROM
