Robert Klippel

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3. Robert Klippel
 Born: 19th June 1920, Potts Point, Sydney
 Died: 19th June 2001, on his 81st birthday
 Fields: Sculpture, assemblage, drawing,
watercolour, ink-work, metal-work,
carvings & collage.
 Movements: Abstract Expressionism &
Surrealism
“Robert Klippel’s indefatigable instinct to make things embraced the
realms of fantasy, of imagination and whimsy, but at the same time there
is a sturdy reality in all those reawakened bits and pieces of discarded
industry and long-lost purpose.
These works of surprising contemplation and fascinating intrigue are,
for me, perfect testaments to the contribution of Robert Klippel; that
independent, somewhat solitary but relentlessly creative spirit."
~ Edmund Capon
Director of the Art Gallery of NSW
Well hey
there <3

4. Sculpting Concept:
Assemblage

5. Sculpture
 Found industrial objects.
 ‘Reassembled’ in a manner that
gives an organic impression.
 Purpose is removed and replaced.
Who does that remind you of?

6. Influences and
Concepts

7. Machine-organic
 He was interested in
correlations between
mechanical and organic forms,
what he described as ‘machine-organic’
inter-relationships.
Klippel set out to relate the forms of nature to the
shapes and forms of machinery in an industrial
society. He made the key statement that he wished
“to seek the inter-relationship between the cogwheel
and the bud.”
~ Robert Klippel
Sculpture notes (1945-50)
I drew and
combined cogs
and screws
with insects
and shells.

8. Practice
Techniques Materials
 Drilling
 Gluing
 Nailing
 Welding
Klippel employed several assistants to
help with the often awkward and
arduous manipulation of the forms.
He continued to rely on spontaneous,
intuitive procedures for working, but
the sheer difficulty of screwing,
nailing and waiting for glue to set
with large and sometimes heavy
patterns meant that he couldn’t simply
work alone.
I made sure all my
works were sturdy
and well joined,
while still
appearing fragile.
 Wood
 Bronze
 Metal
 Found objects

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10. Klippel
& the Structural Frame
 Refresh your memory… What is the Structural Frame?
 So now, try answering the following question…
 Using the Structural Frame, analyse the following artworks.

11. Klippel
& the
Structural
Frame
Title
No. 300
Other titles:
Opus 300
Year
1972-1974
Media categories
Sculpture, Mixed media
Materials used
brazed and welded steel, found objects
Dimensions
123.0 cm height:
0 - Whole; 123 cm (48 7/16")

12. Klippel
& the
Structural
Frame
Title
Drawing
Year
1950
Media category
Drawing
Materials used
pen and ink, watercolour
Dimensions
27.3 x 24.0