Bidspirit auction | Richard Gillespie (1935-2021)

Richard Gillespie (1935-2021) - RICHARD GILLESPIE (1935-2021) MIXED MEDIA SCULPTURE. Richard Gillespie (1935-2021) Untitled Late 20th Century The contemporary sculpture incorporating found objects is signed in white enamel near the top of one side rail. Richard Gillespie was an American sculptor and Professor Emeritus of Sculpture at the University of Kansas, where he taught for nearly three decades. While Richard is best known for his monumental steel sculptures (see lot 414 this sale), he produced a number of works like the present lot; parodies of everyday objects transformed with an acerbic wit into surreal sculptures with something to say; objects that exist in the shadow of Duchamp's readymades or Meret Oppenheim's fur-lined cup. Raised in Kansas City, Kansas, Richard grew up around and worked his first jobs in the industrial workshops of his Strawberry Hill neighborhood, In a 1978 interview, wearing his trademark vest, straw hat, faded denims and a bandana at the neck, he related, ' I always had an appreciation for tools and equipment. I was raised around and worked in machine shops, and in foundries. It's only logical that I do my work in these terms. ' The terms he refers to are the tools, steel, rivets and welds that were his palette, brush and canvas. Richard was a blue-collar artist, and when he wasn't building his art from the ground up, he was expressing himself through everyday objects like the present lot. Measures 45.5 x 21 x 33 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. Please be aware that this lot is too large to ship by conventional carrier such as UPS, USPS or FedEx and will instead require local pick-up, delivery by a freight carrier or delivery by a blanket-wrap shipper. The cost most likely will not be low. Dimensions Measures 45.5 x 21 x 33 inches. Provenance The estate of Richard Gillespie.