The National Gallery of Victoria has been given 24 sculptures by one of the founders of the Dada movement, Hans Arp.
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Also known as Jean Arp, the German-French artist was a leading figure in the European avant-garde in the first half of the 20th century.
Arp exhibited alongside the likes of Picasso, Ernst, Klee, and Man Ray, at the first surrealist exhibition in 1925, before co-founding the Dada movement.
He was known for "biomorphic" sculptures that echoed the organic forms found in nature.
The 21 plasters and three bronze works given to the gallery by the artist's estate are part of a larger gift to ten institutions worldwide, and come with an agreement to research Arp's work.
It makes the NGV the most significant holder of Arp sculptures in the Asia-Pacific region.
"This magnificent gift of plaster and bronze sculptures from The Stiftung Arp e.V. will transform our ability to represent the ground-breaking work of Hans Arp," NGV director Tony Ellwood said in a statement.
Arp used plaster extensively to model his sculptures, so that he could develop various techniques and shapes.
The artworks will be on display from 2024.
Australian Associated Press
