Maureen Quin

I was approached by Maureen some years ago to have an exhibition of her works.
What an incredible woman. At the time of the exhibition she was 80 years old and still creating her own bronze sculptures in the foundry. I hope that I'm blessed to have that can of life force and strength at the age of 80.

When she arrived to deliver the works, I met her at her car and trailer and offered to unload for her, "no, no" she said, "she can manage". The sculptures were all bronze and varied in size and weight, I estimate that some of pieces weighed at least 20kg's. Maureen unloaded and together we moved stands and placed the works ready for exhibition.

The works themselves are more traditional in nature, by that I mean that they are not focused on conveying a concept, but rather focus on form.
During the coarse of the exhibition many of the young students from the various universities in area came to view the exhibition. The youngsters in general are less impressed by traditional art and focus on concept (that's what the universities teach). As I spoke to the youngsters I asked them what they notice about these works that sets them apart from modern works. Most were a little blank at first, then they said things like, the works are figurative.
I began to point out things that they were overlooking.

These works were graceful, but more notably these works were considered. By that I mean that Maureen planned the works to be viewed from every angle and from every angle the works had balance, composition and line. Yes there is line in sculpture. She used line and angle to direct the viewers eyes.

With new insight the students looked at each work again with more respect and hopefully reverence for the skill of traditional approaches to sculpture.

Artist: Maureen Quin
Title: Panche | 2001
Size: 490mm x 385mm x 498mm

Maureen is now 84 and still going strong.

Artist: Maureen Quin
Title: Ballet Dancers II | 2001
Medium: Bronze
Size: 540mm x 200mm x 430mm

Artist: Maureen Quin
Title: Joyous | 2015
Size: 405mm x 200mm x 120mm

Artist: Maureen Quin
Title: Pax du Deux | 2001
Size: 480mm x 355mm x 340mm

Artist: Maureen Quin
Title: Symphony | 2006
Size: 520mm x 250mm x 460mm

Artist: Maureen Quin
Title: Flight | 2001
Size: 620mm x 420 mm x 405mm

Artist: Maureen Quin
Title: Adam & Eve | 2015
Size: 510mm x 845mm x 660mm

Images Sourced from: http://www.art.co.za

Maureen Quin receiving the 2016 Medal of Honour for Visual Art
from the South African Academy of Science and Culture.
On the left is Prof Wessel Pienaar, the chairman of the Academy and on the right is Prof Alex Duffey.

4m high "Rearing Arab Stallion" - work in progress 2007

Maquette of "Rearing Arab Stallion" - height 300mm 2006

"Arab Stallion"
Dubai back
Bronze
4000mm

"My sculptures are not conceptual works, where thought is the main thing and sculptural form is ignored. My sculptures are sculptures first and foremost and they are the result of deep emotional responses to the world around me. They are also not illustrative, they convey their message to the viewer an a more subtle way. They are triggered by human relationships and predicaments and they find expression through the human figure. It's difficult to explain the creative path. I normally start with drawings and more drawings, where I compose shapes and forms and spaces between these: on paper and in my mind. I draw until I get under the skin of my subject - till I can "feel" that sculpture in me. After constructing the armature I concentrate on the shapes and forms in space - composition and silhouette - then suddenly the work takes on a life of its own - the emotional content starts to manifest itself - the dialogue begins, between myself and the sculpture. This dialogue is essential for me, it's a tremendous process of discovery. An adventure into my inner self. The sculpture acquires a spirit and a personality. While I work I'm constantly looking at the composition in space - the tensions within the individual forms and the relationships between them ... to me this is the essence of sculpture."
Sourced from: http://www.quin-art.co.za

Maureen Quin Contact Details: Quin sculpture garden, gallery and studio
5 Suid Street
Alexandria
6185
South Africa
Tel. / Fax +27 46 653 0121
cell +082 770 8000
e-mail: [email protected]