Elisabeth Frink

Born in Suffolk in 1930, Elisabeth Frink studied at the Guildford School of Art and the Chelsea School of Art, where she became part of the post-war group of British sculptors known as the ‘Geometry of Fear’ school. Her sculptures, lithographs and drawings focus on men, birds, bulls, horses and religious motifs. Her early work reflects the destruction and terror caused by World War II, with jagged forms, rough surfaces, and abstracted subjects. Her later work sees a renewed sense of spirituality and observation of humanity.

Throughout her career, Frink taught widely, served on numerous advisory committees, and completed major public commissions. These include Dorset Martyrs, installed in Dorchester; the Eagle lectern for Coventry Cathedral; and Desert Quartet, a grade-II listed public sculpture in Liverpool. She had a sprawling mid-career retrospective at the Royal Academy in 1985, was elected Royal Academician in 1977, and was appointed a DBE in 1982.