Clement Meadmore (1929-2005)

American, born in Melbourne, Australia, emigrated to the United States in 1963. Upon Clement Meadmore's arrival he was befriended by Barnett Newman, the leading American abstractionist, who introduced him into the art world of New York City. Viewing the important minimalist show, Primary Structures, he was inspired to create his seminal piece, Bent Column. Ultimately with modular forms of Meadmore's own device he would circle the square using a curvilinear line that moves by extention, producing a body of work that is fresh vigorous and unique. Meadmore transforms the most stable, static geometric form into something dynamic and expressive.

What is Meadmore trying to do? He answers, "I'm going to make you confront a big mass and dissuade you from thinking of the massiveness when you are looking at it. I want you to think about what went into it in terms of spiritual intentions...for me Mondrian suggested the expressive possibilities of geometry and Barnett Newman extended them by eliminating the geometric feeling from his work...In my case, I am trying to free geometry to work expressively as an alternative to modeling or carving...I am interested in expressiveness which is conveyed with geometric clarity, requiring no prior art, historical or geometric knowledge. I firmly believe that we all have an innate response to three dimensional form, sculpture, which, like our universal response to music, is directly stimulated by clearly defined forms."

Music, a major influence and inspiration in Meadmore's life seems to influence his sculptures. Meadmore's works "pick up momentum and slow down, begin with sudden intensity and then stop with equal abruptness... They have a strong affinity with jazz." (Gibson, p. 56). A great lover of Jazz, Meadmore had an extensive collection of jazz recordings and hosted regular jazz jam sessions at his appartment in New York City until he passed away.

And commenting on Meadmore's work, Harry Rand, curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American Art has stated, "Meadmore's choice of stark forms evoke wonderful emotions beyond what untutored expectations would suggest."

His work appears in major private collections and museums throughout the world including the Bradley Collection, the Nelson Rockefeller Collections, the Cleveland Museum, the Butler Instititute of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of New York, the National Gallery of Australia, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Princeton University, University of Houston, and Columbia University.

To find out more about Clement Meadmore's work or prices for his sculpture you can contact:

Mary Rose
zambonirose@gmail.com
503-706-0233

Catherine Rose
rose@howdoistand.com
P: (+1) 503-269-2175

Peter Rose
peterrosegallery@gmail.com
(212) 759-8173