Ann Elliott: A curator in search of excellence

At a recent lecture at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts (a co-organiser with the British Council), she delivered a scholarly presentation on the famous Henry Moore's prints. Outlining some of his works, she talked of Elephant Skull (an etching), Windswept Landscape (lithograph) and Hands II (lithograph), among others.

There is an interesting story behind Elephant Skull said Ann. Apparently Juliette Huxley, the wife of Moore's friend, zoologist Julian Huxley, gave Moore an elephant's skull in 1966. Saving the skull from deteriorating in the Hampstead Garden of the Huxleys he began to work on an etching. Describing this "sculptural and complex work", Ann points put that the artist "made hundreds of drawings of the elephant skull. Then he put together a whole portfolio of prints representing different aspects of the skull--in entirety, in different perspectives and close scrutiny."

Some of Moore's works were also on display at the Bengal Gallery. Ann amplified on Windswept Landscape, from the WH Auden portfolio. Moore made a portfolio of lithographs, which were a collection between the poet and the artist; both Yorkshiremen.

"Moore's drawings are not illustrations of the poem, but they invoke a common feeling for the Yorkshire landscape that they had. As these were being published, Auden died. Once the portfolio was published they became a memorial to the poet," points out Ann. Other works that caught the eye were Reclining Figure Dawn and Reclining Figure Sunset (both lithographs).

Though she has a passion for the works of Moore (as she points out while she was working for the British Council, she took his art to India, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia and Finland), of late she has been busy with curation and write-ups on living sculptors.

As a freelance curator she has curated for several exhibitions and sculptors. In addition, she is invited to write catalogue essays on sculptors and sculptures.

She also has several books to her credit such as Sculpture at Goodwood and The Art of Prior's Court School. Her talks have been held at Tate Gallery, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge and elsewhere.

Now returning to her home in West Sussex, UK, she takes back happy memories of her short visit to Dhaka. "Moore's works have a universal appeal as they deal with the human state. They can cut across linguistic and cultural barriers. I was overwhelmed by the interest in the exhibition and my talk," concludes Ann.