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Lot Essay
'The balletic beauty of youth and fitness continue to concern him as he translates the vigour and delicacy of the female body into the acceptably tangible solid bronze. However a new element appears more often in the sculptures, the difficult moment when a movement fails, adapts or changes direction is increasingly explored. So it is imperfection as well as perfection that interests him more and more and this gives his figures a tension, an added reality to which the eye and heart can relate (C. Beetles, exhibition catalogue, Sydney Harpley, London, Chris Beetles Gallery, 1987).
It is Harpley’s recognisable human qualities which make his work so powerful. Epitomised by their beauty, vitality and humour, Harpley’s sculptures reflect the tutelage of John Skeaping at the Royal College of Art who encouraged his students to capture the reality of life in their work. Indeed it seems that he had a high regard for Harpley’s abilities and mentions him in his book of memoirs Drawn from Life. Harpley became a full Royal Academician in 1981, exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1987, where his bronzes were met with critical acclaim and all sold.
It is Harpley’s recognisable human qualities which make his work so powerful. Epitomised by their beauty, vitality and humour, Harpley’s sculptures reflect the tutelage of John Skeaping at the Royal College of Art who encouraged his students to capture the reality of life in their work. Indeed it seems that he had a high regard for Harpley’s abilities and mentions him in his book of memoirs Drawn from Life. Harpley became a full Royal Academician in 1981, exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1987, where his bronzes were met with critical acclaim and all sold.