The Institute of Contemporary Arts organised a world-wide sculpture competition to commemorate or symbolise the theme of The Unknown Political Prisoner.
The intention in suggesting such a theme was to pay tribute to those individuals who, in many countries and in diverse political situations, had dared to offer their liberty and their lives for the cause of human freedom.
The Competition was undertaken on a truly international scale, in the hope that it would prove to be an inspiration not only to artists, but to all those in positions great or small who may give support to the arts.
Entry applications reached 3,500 from fifty-seven countries: Reg Butler won the £4500 Grand Prize; Mirko Basaldella, Barbara Hepworth, Antoine Pevsner and Naum Gabo were the winners of £750.
