Grenville Davey

Drum

1989–90

Not on display

Artist: Grenville Davey born 1961
Medium: Painted steel
Dimensions: Displayed: 430 x 1630 x 3900 mm
Collection: Tate
Acquisition: Presented by Janet Wolfson de Botton 1996
Reference: T07182

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'Drum' is related to another work by Davey, 'Trommel' ('drum' in German), a blue sculpture with a green top which is shaped like a oversized tin drum. Ostensibly abstract, both sculptures have the familiar shape and some of the markings that can be associated with both oil drums and musical instruments. Davey has described making them; 'both sculptures are actually paper thin and, like several similar works, they were squashed using hand pressure. It looks really easy but it uses the properties of the material, which is steel. The extraordinary thing is that it is like working with paper. The steel is resistant, but yields then holds it shape. They look hand-made and physically imperfect'.

Gallery label, September 2004

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