Dumb Bell

Richard Deacon 1949

Summary

Dumb Bell is a medium-scale piece from the "New World Order" series of the British sculptor Richard Deacon. It demonstrates his mastery of materials and ideas about the rellationship between object, scale and space.

Display Label

Dumb Bell 1998 Richard Deacon born 1949 Spun aluminium Dumb Bell resembles both a bell and a squat figure. A bell which is not hung is silent and therefore dumb: likewise a figure devoid of features cannot communicate. In US slang a dumb-bell means a stupid person. A dumb-bell is also a weight for developing muscle. Although this sculpture looks heavy, it is surprisingly light being hollow and made of spun alumimium. This adds further enigma and ambiguity to its meaning. Deacon belongs to a group of British sculptors whose work is fabricated from industrial materials, rather than crafted from those traditionally associated with sculpture, such as marble or bronze. The forms he creates are memorable and allusive. Often there is a reference to the body or the senses: titles and language also play an important role in the meaning and interpretation of his sculptures. Purchased through the Contemporary Art Society Special Collection Scheme, supported by funds from Arts Council Lottery and Manchester City Galleries' Corporate Patrons (M20157)