Code D23

Portrait resin bust of Arthur C Clarke, signed with monogram on the neck. The bust is attached to a rather grand stand and the rear of the bust is held by a metal rod.

Over time the developement of the verdigris lends itself to enhanced patination.

We have attempted to show the rudimentary repairs around the neck. The bust remains sturdy.

Dimensions:H:64cm W:62cm D:23cm (measurements include the stand).

20th Century.

BACKGROUND:

Sir Arthur C Clarke CBE FRAS (1917-2008) was a British science fiction writer. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, one of the most influential films of all time.

The sculptor is  Dr Sarath Chandrajeeva. He left London where he was studying his craft to return to his native home Sri Lanka to help his people who were being slaughtered including decapitations during the civil war in 1988, which lasted 30 years.  He saw three decapitations himself. He realised he could do nothing to help and so frustrated he was that in 1990 he undertook a rather ambitious project to express himself of what he saw.

He sculpted 100 portrait busts onto a makeshift wall which can be seen in his YouTube interview. Sarath talks about why he returned to Sri Lanka and the reasons behind the project. Sarath explained that he chose to sculpt prominent people of Sri Lanka who had greatly contributed to Sri Lanka, whether they be doctors, scientists etc.

He spoke of Arthur C Clarke sitting for him and nicknamed him the ‘human photocopying machine’ due to his speed in completing the bust. The bust is extensively highlighted in the YouTube clip.

Arthur C Clarke had a connection with Sri Lanka in that he believed there was a link from Sri Lanka to outer space. He lived in Sri Lanka for 52 years though remained a British Citizen.