William Turnbull (1922–2012), a Scottish-born artist who later resided in London, left an indelible mark on postwar sculpture and painting. His innovative approach to form, space, and material propelled him to the forefront of the art world, as he exchanged ideas and collaborated with prominent artists from Britain, Europe, and the United States such as Alberto Giacometti, Mark Rothko, and Helen Frankenthaler.
The course of Turnbull’s artistic career was largely shaped by his experiences prior to studying at the Slade School of Fine Art in 1946. In his own words, working in the illustration department at D.C. Thomson in Dundee (1939–41) opened his eyes to “all sorts of ideas and new books [about art],” expanding his world view. His time serving in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War provided him with intense aerial views, as he was stationed in Sri Lanka and India. This experience greatly influenced his conceptualization of landscapes and sparked a lifelong interest in travel. With his wife, artist Kim Lim, Turnbull traveled to archaeological sites across Asia, North Africa, and Europe, further fueling his fascination with cross-cultural connections and shared concerns.
One of Turnbull’s defining characteristics as an artist was his adaptability and his ability to invite direct interaction from viewers. His exploration of different permutations and arrangements of materials reached its peak in the 1960s and 70s, as he moved beyond plaster and bronze casting to incorporate industrial materials such as steel and fibreglass. In the late 1970s, he returned to modeling in clay and casting in bronze, embarking on a series of heads, female figures, and horses, as well as numerous outdoor sculptures. In a time when artists were expected to specialize in either sculpture or painting, Turnbull challenged conventions by exhibiting his works of both mediums together, highlighting the visual and conceptual connections between them.
www.ftn-books.com has several Turnbull titles available.
