Sir Anthony Caro: A Pioneer of Modern Sculpture

Early Life and Education

• Born: March 8, 1924, in New Malden, Surrey, England.
• Family Background: Caro was the youngest of three children to a Jewish family.
• Education: He attended Charterhouse School, where he was introduced to sculpture through his housemaster and Charles Wheeler. Further studies included Farnham School of Art, Christ's College Cambridge (Engineering degree), Regent Street Polytechnic, and the Royal Academy Schools (1947-1952).

Artistic Development and Influences

• Early Influences: Initially influenced by Henry Moore, with whom he worked as a studio assistant from 1951-1953. This early association instilled in him an appreciation for modernist sculpture.
• Turning Point: A 1959 Ford Foundation scholarship led to a transformative trip to the United States, where he encountered American Abstract Expressionism and met key figures like Clement Greenberg, Kenneth Noland, and David Smith. The work of David Smith was particularly influential.
• Shift in Style: Inspired by his experiences in America, Caro abandoned figurative sculpture and began creating abstract assemblages using welded steel and found industrial objects.

Key Characteristics and Style

• Assemblage & Materials: Caro is renowned for his innovative use of materials – often ‘found’ or industrial components like I-beams, steel plates, and mesh.
• Removing the Plinth: A defining characteristic of his work is removing sculptures from their traditional plinths, allowing viewers to engage with them directly on the floor and experience them in a more immersive way. This challenged conventional sculptural presentation.
• Abstract Forms & Spatial Exploration: His sculptures are characterized by dynamic abstract forms that explore spatial relationships and create a sense of openness and movement.

Notable Works and Exhibitions

• Twenty Four Hours (1960): An early example of his abstract steel sculptures, now in the Tate Britain collection.
• Leaf Pool (1967): Showcased at Paintings in Hospitals, demonstrating his unique style and approach to form.
• After Olympia (1982-87): A large-scale narrative work inspired by the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, showcasing his ability to create monumental pieces with complex narratives.
• Exhibitions: Caro exhibited extensively internationally, including solo shows in Milan and New York, and participated in major group exhibitions.

Awards and Legacy

• Order of the British Empire (CBE): Awarded for his services to art.
• Triangle Arts Trust: Co-founded the Triangle Arts Trust in 1982, providing a space for artists to collaborate and experiment.
• Historical Significance: Caro is considered one of the most important British sculptors of his generation. His work revolutionized sculpture by challenging traditional conventions and exploring new materials and forms. He profoundly influenced subsequent generations of sculptors and continues to inspire artists today.

Artistic Movements

• Modernism: A core influence, breaking from traditional artistic norms.
• Abstract Expressionism: Impacted his shift towards abstraction and emphasis on form and material.
• Neoclassicism: Later work showed influences of classical Greek and Roman styles, particularly in narrative pieces like 'After Olympia'.