This portrait sculpture of Tenby born artist Augustus John was made by Italian sculptress Fiore de Henriquez at Fryern Court in 1952. Whilst she was working on the bust John could not keep his hands off the clay and eventually she gave him some to work with. The experience inspired John to begin sculpting. He executed various busts of family and friends. Henriquez was one of the most respected figures in post-war sculpture. Her works ranged from portrait busts to religious scenes, mostly cruifixions and pieta, semi-abstract and mythical figures, life-sized statues and monumental public commissions. Her personal character however remained somewhat enigmatic and it was only in the last few years of her life that she revealed herself as an hermaphrodite. Her androgyny channelled her energies into her art, seeing the creative process as a metaphor for her own duality. Some found her androgyny a cause for personal critcism; others embraced her compelling personality and she formed friendships with people of both sexes.
Share this link: