John P O’Sullivan revisits the career of sculptor Jim Flavin, finding a single-minded dedication to improving Irish sculpture
Jim Flavin was a significant figure in the development of sculpture in Ireland in the latter half of the 20th century. Working with Cast Foundry and later at his own Bronze Art Foundry, his innovations included ceramic shellcasting, the introduction of the latest patination techniques from Europe and the use of bronze ingots with known chemical composition. He was also a considerable artist with a sadly attenuated career. Reviewing his life, one wonders how much his dedication to improving standards through his foundry activities and his extensive collaborations with his fellow sculptors affected the scale of his output.
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