Anne Arnold

Amidst the flurry of modernist movements that consumed the art world throughout the span of Anne Arnold’s (American, 1925 - 2014) career, her work remained a thoroughly unique, technically masterful celebration of the beauty and spirit of her animal subjects. While her sculptures carry shades of folk tradition and modernist forms, Arnold’s only true allegiance was to her subjects, choosing her materials and approach based on what would most adequately portray the essence of each animal. Her resulting sculptures in wood, bronze, terracotta, and resin-painted fiber imaginatively capture the physical and spiritual complexity of these animals, invoking the character of each creature via nuanced movement of muscle and bone beneath fur.

Born in Melrose, Massachusetts in 1925, Arnold studied at the University of New Hampshire, Ohio State University, and the University of Guadalajara in Mexico before moving to New York in 1949. There she continued her studies at the Art Students League until 1953. Like other artists of her time whose work stood apart from prevailing modes of contemporary art, Arnold found a platform at the Tanager Gallery, a 10th street cooperative where she had her first one-person exhibition in 1960. Her work was then the subject of nine one-person shows at Fischbach Gallery and was included in many group shows around the country. In 1983, a retrospective exhibition of her work was organized by the Paul Creative Arts Center at the University of New Hampshire.

Work Available

Featured

Monte II

1988, carved wood, 49 x 10 1/2 x 54 inches

Monte II

1988, carved wood, 49 x 10 1/2 x 54 inches

Ishmael II (Cat)

1982, terra cotta, 11 5/8 x 8 x 10 1/2 inches

Harry (Dog)

c. 1978, lost wax cast bronze, 11 x 13 x 22 inches

Lady (English Setter Head)

1978, acrylic on terra cotta, 14 x 11 1/2 x 16 inches

Willow (Afghan)

1978, acrylic on terra cotta, 32 1/2 x 34 1/2 x 11 inches

Willow (Afghan)

1978, acrylic on terra cotta, 32 1/2 x 34 1/2 x 11 inches

Grip (Bull Terrier)

1978, acrylic on terra cotta, 24 1/2 x 34 x 10 inches

Bill (Horse)

1976, polyester resin coated Dynel over wood, 73 x 40 x 85 inches

Ohno (Skunk)

1974-1975, acrylic on polyester resin coated Dynel over wood, 25 x 10 1/2 x 33 1/2 inches

Nimble (Sheep)

1973, polyester resin coated Dynel over wood, 18 1/2 x 17 x 19 1/2 inches

Grey Rabbit

1971, polyester resin over nylon over wood, 17 3/8 x 18 1/2 x 2 7/8 inches

Black and White Rabbit

1970, polyester resin coated canvas over wood polychrome, 24 1/4 x 16 1/2 x 40 inches

Canvas Cat

c. 1969, acrylic on canvas with buttons over wood, 10 1/2 x 10 x 9 inches

Eliza II

1968, lost wax cast bronze, 12 x 14 x 9 inches

Eliza

1968, lost wax cast bronze, 4 x 2 x 2 1/2 inches

Nude in Chair

1966, terra cotta, 7 3/4 x 9 1/4 x 7 inches

Hippos (Wall Piece)

1966, wood, 34 x 79 x 9 inches

Mary Frank

1961, basswood, acrylic and wood stain, 13 x 10 x 10 inches

Mary Frank

1961, basswood, acrylic and wood stain, 13 x 10 x 10 inches

Reclining Cat

1956, pine and creosote, 8 1/4 x 16 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches

Available Work on Paper

Featured

Two Mules

1981, pencil on paper, 17 7/8 x 22 3/4 inches

Dog

1981, pencil on paper, 17 3/4 x 23 1/4 inches

Standing Cow

1981, pencil on paper, 18 x 23 inches

Reclining Cow

1981, pencil on paper, 18 x 23 inches

Untitled (Lion)

1981, pencil on paper, 24 x 18 1/2 inches

Dog

1980, pencil on paper, 16 3/4 x 13 7/8 inches

Willow

1980, pencil on paper, 17 3/4 x 23 inches

Untitled (Willow)

1980, pencil on paper, 20 x 14 1/2 inches

Small Dog

c. 1980s, pencil on paper, 13 1/4 x 10 1/4 inches

Two Rhinos

1970, pencil on paper, 22 3/4 x 17 3/4 inches

Reclining Cat

1964, ink on paper, 10 1/8 x 13 5/8 inches

Work Exhibited

Sitting Cat

c. 1988, carved wood polychrome, 20 x 21 x 7 3/4 inches

Quixote (Cat)

1982, acrylic on terra cotta, 14 1/2 x 14 x 13 inches

Ishmael

1982, fired and painted clay, 16 3/4 x 15 x 18 inches

Spot (Dalmation)

Spot (Dalmation)

1978, stoneware, 25 1/2 x 16 x 24 1/2 inches

Silky (Australian Silky Terrier)

Silky (Australian Silky Terrier)

1978, stoneware (painted terra cotta, unique), 15 3/4 x 17 x 8 1/2 inches

Wall Pig

1971, polyester resin coated Dynel over wood, 41 x 57 x 26 inches

Mosquito

c. 1960's, ink on paper, 16 3/4 x 13 3/4 inches

Flashy Girl

1959, driftwood, 36 x 34 x 12 inches

Orange Cat

1956, painted pine, 8 1/2 x 24 x 6 3/4 inches

Self-Portrait

mid-1950s, carved wood polychrome, 14 1/4 x 6 3/8 x 8 inches

Sunny (Skye Terrier)

Sunny (Skye Terrier)

1978, acrylic on terra cotta, 22 1/2 x 10 x 36 inches

Sunny (Skye Terrier)

Sunny (Skye Terrier)

1978, acrylic on terra cotta, 22 1/2 x 10 x 36 inches

Gretchen (Dachshund)

Gretchen (Dachshund)

1978, acrylic on terra cotta, 20 1/2 x 9 x 16 inches

Henrietta (Rabbit)

Henrietta (Rabbit)

1971, acrylic on nylon over wood, 28 1/2 x 30 x 26 inches

Eliza I

1968, lost wax cast bronze, 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches

Press

The New York Sun: Quoth the Sculpture, 'Woof'
The New York Times: Art Listings | Your Beauty's Gold is Clay
City Arts: Animal Kingdom
The New York Sun: Not Consigned To the Realm of Craft
The New York Observer: Gender Gets a Boost: Women Artists on Top
The New York Times: Art In Review; 'Challenging Tradition' -- 'Women of the Academy, 1826-2003'
The New York Observer: Arnold's Graceful, Distinctive Vision
The New York Times: Anne Arnold's Peaceable Kingdom
The New York Times: Appealing Sculpture of Anne Arnold; Cats Made of Canvas are Painted

Essays and Interviews

John Yau: Groundbreaker
Christopher Crosman: Anne Arnold

Past Exhibitions

Selected Biographical Notes

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