Clifford Last: Difference between revisions
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'''Frank Clifford Last''' (1918–1991) was an [[English people|English]] [[sculptor]], the son of [[Nella Last]], author of a [[World War II]] diary on which the TV film ''[[Housewife, 49]]'' was based. |
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==Early life== |
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Last was the younger son of Will Last, [[Shop fitting|shopfitter]] and Nella Last (née Lord). He was born in [[Hampshire]] on 13 December 1918 but grew up in [[Barrow-in-Furness]], [[Lancashire]]. He had an older brother, Arthur. After war service in which he lost his closest companion and was injured himself, he trained in art and emigrated to [[Australia]] in 1947, becoming a noted sculptor. Some of his works are displayed in the National Gallery of Australia and the [[Ballarat Fine Art Gallery]] in the [[States and territories of Australia|State]] of [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]. |
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==Centre Five group== |
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Last was a foundation member of Centre Five, a group formed in 1960 to promote contemporary abstract sculpture in Australia. The group, originally called Centre Four, was founded in 1953 by [[Hungary|Hungarian-born]] Julius Kane, featuring Last, [[Norma Redpath]] and [[Germany|German-born]] [[Inge King]]. Centre Five was a splinter group of the Victorian Sculptors' Society comprising members Clifford Last, [[Inge King]], Vincas Jomantas, [[Teisutis Zikaras]], Julius Kane and [[Lenton Parr]]. They shared common characteristics in their style and felt that exhibiting together would be to their advantage. Their aim was to foster the understanding of modern sculpture among Australian architects and the public.<ref>{{Cite news |
Last was a foundation member of Centre Five, a group formed in 1960 to promote contemporary abstract sculpture in Australia. The group, originally called Centre Four, was founded in 1953 by [[Hungary|Hungarian-born]] Julius Kane, featuring Last, [[Norma Redpath]] and [[Germany|German-born]] [[Inge King]]. Centre Five was a splinter group of the Victorian Sculptors' Society comprising members Clifford Last, [[Inge King]], Vincas Jomantas, [[Teisutis Zikaras]], Julius Kane and [[Lenton Parr]]. They shared common characteristics in their style and felt that exhibiting together would be to their advantage. Their aim was to foster the understanding of modern sculpture among Australian architects and the public.<ref>{{Cite news |
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|url= http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/20/1069027254616.html?from=storyrhs |
|url= http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/20/1069027254616.html?from=storyrhs |
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The project was problematic in that they had resigned from the Victorian Sculptors' Society and in effect set themselves up as competition. The result was a severe split in the very small sculpture world of the time, the repercussions of which are still felt today. Due to the nature of the split, the Society – formed to promote the work of members – missed out on official consideration.<ref>{{Cite web |
The project was problematic in that they had resigned from the Victorian Sculptors' Society and in effect set themselves up as competition. The result was a severe split in the very small sculpture world of the time, the repercussions of which are still felt today. Due to the nature of the split, the Society – formed to promote the work of members – missed out on official consideration.<ref>{{Cite web |
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|url= http://www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/association_history.php |
|url= http://www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/association_history.php |
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|title=Association of Sculptors of Victoria |
|title=Association of Sculptors of Victoria |
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|work=sculptorsvictoria.asn.au |
|work=sculptorsvictoria.asn.au |
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|accessdate=29 August 2010 |
|accessdate=29 August 2010 |
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}}</ref> Last later was a member of the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board.<ref>{{cite book |title=Clifford Last |last=Dimmack |first=Max |
}}</ref> Last later was a member of the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board.<ref>{{cite book |title=Clifford Last |last=Dimmack |first=Max |year=1972 |publisher=Hawthorn Press |location= Melbourne |isbn= |page= |pages= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> |
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==TV film== |
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The wartime diaries of his mother Nella were dramatised by [[Victoria Wood]] for [[ITV Network|ITV]] in 2006 as ''[[Housewife, 49]]'', which is how she headed her first entry at the age of 49. Wood played the lead role. [[David Threlfall]] played Cliff's father Will, whilst Cliff himself was played by [[Christopher Harper (actor)|Christopher Harper]] ''Housewife, 49'' was released on DVD Region 2 on 21 May 2007 and on DVD Region 1 on 11 March 2008. In the film t is revealed that Cliff, was gay; although Nella either does not realise or refuses to acknowledge it. |
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==Work== |
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| [[Image:Clifford Last - Family, 1971.jpg|thumb|left|Large bronze "Family", gift to ADB 1971.]] |
| [[Image:Clifford Last - Family, 1971.jpg|thumb|left|Large bronze "Family", gift to ADB 1971.]] |
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Materials with which Last worked included bronze, slate, wood and aluminium. Using wood as his favoured medium, Last furthered his studies at the [[Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology]]. After he spent fourteen months back in England in |
Materials with which Last worked included bronze, slate, wood and aluminium. Using wood as his favoured medium, Last furthered his studies at the [[Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology]]. After he spent fourteen months back in England in the early 1950s, Last’s work took on a more geometrical form. He explored the use of shapes that he believed demonstrated the emotions existing in family groups and then explored subjects such as [[Dualism (philosophy of mind)|dualism]] and [[Trinity]] through the manipulation of religious references and symbols. |
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Last preferred the work to speak for itself and, unless asked, opted not to go into detail.<ref>{{Cite web |
Last preferred the work to speak for itself and, unless asked, opted not to go into detail.<ref>{{Cite web |
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A fine example of his large-scale bronzes entitled "Family" was commissioned by the [[Government of Australia]], in 1971, as an official gift to the international organization, [[Asian Development Bank]], which displays it in its headquarters in [[Manila]]. |
A fine example of his large-scale bronzes entitled "Family" was commissioned by the [[Government of Australia]], in 1971, as an official gift to the international organization, [[Asian Development Bank]], which displays it in its headquarters in [[Manila]]. |
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==Death== |
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Last died in Australia in 1991.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20140221181028/https://artgalleryofballarat.com.au/explore-and-experience/collection/australian-collection/last,-clifford.aspx</ref><ref>https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8500049/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_trv_sm</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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==External Links== |
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* {{IMDb name|8500049}} |
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*Max Dimmack, ''Clifford Last'', Melbourne, Hawthorn Press. 1972. Monograph on Australian sculptor. |
*Max Dimmack, ''Clifford Last'', Melbourne, Hawthorn Press. 1972. Monograph on Australian sculptor. |
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*Geoffrey Edwards, Noel Hutchison, Brett Lockwood (editor), ''Clifford Last Sculpture, A Retrospective Exhibition – 23 November 1989 – 29 January 1990'', Catalogue, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1989. |
*Geoffrey Edwards, Noel Hutchison, Brett Lockwood (editor), ''Clifford Last Sculpture, A Retrospective Exhibition – 23 November 1989 – 29 January 1990'', Catalogue, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1989. |
Revision as of 06:16, 16 February 2020
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Nella_Last.jpg/220px-Nella_Last.jpg)
Frank Clifford Last (1918–1991) was an English sculptor, the son of Nella Last, author of a World War II diary on which the TV film Housewife, 49 was based.
Early life
Last was the younger son of Will Last, shopfitter and Nella Last (née Lord). He was born in Hampshire on 13 December 1918 but grew up in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire. He had an older brother, Arthur. After war service in which he lost his closest companion and was injured himself, he trained in art and emigrated to Australia in 1947, becoming a noted sculptor. Some of his works are displayed in the National Gallery of Australia and the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery in the State of Victoria.
Centre Five group
Last was a foundation member of Centre Five, a group formed in 1960 to promote contemporary abstract sculpture in Australia. The group, originally called Centre Four, was founded in 1953 by Hungarian-born Julius Kane, featuring Last, Norma Redpath and German-born Inge King. Centre Five was a splinter group of the Victorian Sculptors' Society comprising members Clifford Last, Inge King, Vincas Jomantas, Teisutis Zikaras, Julius Kane and Lenton Parr. They shared common characteristics in their style and felt that exhibiting together would be to their advantage. Their aim was to foster the understanding of modern sculpture among Australian architects and the public.[1]
The project was problematic in that they had resigned from the Victorian Sculptors' Society and in effect set themselves up as competition. The result was a severe split in the very small sculpture world of the time, the repercussions of which are still felt today. Due to the nature of the split, the Society – formed to promote the work of members – missed out on official consideration.[2] Last later was a member of the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board.[3]
TV film
The wartime diaries of his mother Nella were dramatised by Victoria Wood for ITV in 2006 as Housewife, 49, which is how she headed her first entry at the age of 49. Wood played the lead role. David Threlfall played Cliff's father Will, whilst Cliff himself was played by Christopher Harper Housewife, 49 was released on DVD Region 2 on 21 May 2007 and on DVD Region 1 on 11 March 2008. In the film t is revealed that Cliff, was gay; although Nella either does not realise or refuses to acknowledge it.
Work
![]() |
Materials with which Last worked included bronze, slate, wood and aluminium. Using wood as his favoured medium, Last furthered his studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. After he spent fourteen months back in England in the early 1950s, Last’s work took on a more geometrical form. He explored the use of shapes that he believed demonstrated the emotions existing in family groups and then explored subjects such as dualism and Trinity through the manipulation of religious references and symbols.
Last preferred the work to speak for itself and, unless asked, opted not to go into detail.[4] He carved wood such as Jarrah, using, for example, the cruciform shape in relativistic relationships which left interpretation open. One such form could refer to animals, plants, icons, people or groups.
A fine example of his large-scale bronzes entitled "Family" was commissioned by the Government of Australia, in 1971, as an official gift to the international organization, Asian Development Bank, which displays it in its headquarters in Manila.
Death
Last died in Australia in 1991.[5][6]
References
- ^ "Thriving in a cultural void". theage.com.au. Melbourne. 22 November 2003. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ "Association of Sculptors of Victoria". sculptorsvictoria.asn.au. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ^ Dimmack, Max (1972). Clifford Last. Melbourne: Hawthorn Press.
- ^ "Clifford Last, Cruciforms". artgalleryofballarat.com.au. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20140221181028/https://artgalleryofballarat.com.au/explore-and-experience/collection/australian-collection/last,-clifford.aspx
- ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8500049/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_trv_sm
External Links
Further reading
- Max Dimmack, Clifford Last, Melbourne, Hawthorn Press. 1972. Monograph on Australian sculptor.
- Geoffrey Edwards, Noel Hutchison, Brett Lockwood (editor), Clifford Last Sculpture, A Retrospective Exhibition – 23 November 1989 – 29 January 1990, Catalogue, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1989.