Dame Elisabeth Frink, R.A. (1930-1993)

Sarah Kent ('A Bestiary for our Time, the sculpture of Elisabeth Frink, loc. cit., p. 58) comments, 'Their heads protected by leather helmets, Small winged figure (1961) and Birdman (1962) are more evidently fighter pilots fused with elements of their planes. Their vulnerability is emphasized by the inadequacy of small wings that are more like flamboyant epaulettes than pieces of functioning equipment. Yet, although they seem bound to die, one feels little sympathy for these anonymous agents whose faces are hidden and whose bodies and minds seem immersed in their destructive roles'.