1968 Coventry -Exhibition — Anthony Benjamin

1968

Exhibition celebrating the re-opening of Coventry Cathedral

The Exhibition celebrating the re-opening of Coventry Cathedral included many of the ‘Big Names’ in British Sculpture, Moore, Hepworth, Frink, Armitage, as well as Benjamin and some other newcomers. The medieval church had been decimated by intensive bombing during the War, then resurrected under the supervision of the great architect, Sir Basil Spence who intended to preserve as much as possible of the original damaged structure, possibly to remind humanity of the futility and horrors of War.

John & Yoko, Photo: Anthony Fawcett

Professor Fabio Barraclough, publisher of Sculpture International, the main organiser was assisted by Anthony Fawcett, the critic and writer. Benjamin had become friendly with him at Oxford when he was editor of the Isis Art Magazine at the University. Fawcett had also been working as a ‘Personal Assistant’ to John Lennon and Yoko Ono when they started appearing together in public. Fawcett arranged for them to travel to Coventry Cathedral to plant ‘Acorns for Peace’, a performance piece in the grounds as part of the grand opening of the sculpture exhibition.

While viewing the show with Fawcett, he persuaded them to perch on the metal section of Benjamin’s piece and look through one of the large cut-out shapes in the vivid green Perspex above their heads. John made jokes and Yoko looked bored, while Benjamin and Barraclough hovered uncomfortably in the background, and Fawcett took the photos that appeared in Sculpture International. He then went on to work for the edgy pair full time, which proved to be a rather challenging enterprise, involving more duties than expected by the very capable Fawcett.

Back cover, Photo: Richard Sadler

Photo: Richard Sadler

Maquette for the Sculpture for Coventry, Photo: Richard Sadler

“This is the largest sculpture Anthony Benjamin has ever constructed. It was also the first piece that uses plastic and metal specifically designed to go in the open air. In earlier flourescent plastic sculptures Benjamin was using the medium very much as an extension to his paintings, whereas now he has integrating the earlier elements into a more three-dimensional form which is classical, even architectural in feeling.”
Anthony Fawcett - in the Exhibition Catalogue