Lot 135: NICHOLAS POPE

NICHOLAS POPE B.1949 FOUR HOLES Quantity: 4 wood largest: height: 44.5cm.; 17½in.; four parts, dimensions variable.

Galerij S65, Aalst, where acquired by the previous owner in the early 1980s

Executed circa 1982.

Born in Australia, Pope's early work helped him to build a powerful reputation, and working in a variety of natural media he produced a body of sculptural work that sits well alongside that of contemporaries such as David Nash and Barry Flanagan (who was a great supporter of Pope's work). In 1980 he was selected to represent Britain at the Venice Biennale, and was represented by major dealers such as Anthony d'Offay and Waddington Galleries.

In 1982 he visited Tanzania to study the carving of the Makonde, but contracted illnesses which were to seriously affect him. His work was massively curtailed, with long periods of inactivity including a period from 1987-1992 when he withdrew from the art world entirely and made no work. He has been active as a sculptor since the mid 1990s and had a one man exhibition at Tate, Art Now: Nicholas Pope: The Apostles Speaking in Tongues, which ran from December 1996 - February 1997.