35 Baker Street, London W1U 8EN
PRESS RELEASE
Richard Minns at Hay Hill Gallery: Meet The Artist Evening
15th May 2014 6-8pm
On the 15th May 2014, Hay Hill Gallery will be hosting a Meet The Artist evening for renowned sculptor
Richard Minns. Using legendary figures to inspire his anatomically perfect sculptures, the artist cites
the Classical Greeks and Roman Old Masters as source of inspiration, considering Michelangelo
Buonarroti to have set the standard of excellence. Today, Minns has summoned his phenomenal skills
as a sculptor to interpret Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged novel, as well as familiar figures from biblical
stories and classic Greek mythology.
The evening will be an exclusive chance to see Minns’ new sculpture Jacob And The Angel before it is
displayed at the Westbury Hotel this summer. Rich with symbolism, this sculpture depicts Jacob and
the mysterious ‘man of God’ locked in combat. Equal in strength, they wrestle until morning when
Jacob finally receives the blessing he desires. The Jacob that entered into the wrestling match was a
manipulator, a ruthless con-artist, on his way to see his brother Esau whom he cheated out of his
birthright. However, he leaves the scene with a limp and becomes known as ‘Israel’, the perseverer or
overcomer. This is a powerful portrayal of man’s inner struggle between relying on earthly strength
and putting your trusting in God. Seen from different angles, the two figures in the sculpture appear to
move around each other- and at one point are both completely obscured by the angel’s wing. This
striking bronze illustrates the difficult idea that real character growth is down to struggle and pain.
The Atlas Shrugged quadrilogy is an iconic sculptural series based on the book of the same name, cast
in bronze with a classic rich patination. Atlas is seen tearing apart the World of Collectivism that had
formerly pinned him down, and creating a new golden world. Every muscle is taut with an electrifying
undercurrent of pure anger, and turning the sculpture around on its highly polished steel base you can
see every last inch of Minns’ mastery of anatomy reflected there. Interpreting Atlas as one who is
finally unable to bear the weight of the world and its freeloaders, Minns’ sculpture is an important
social comment. He challenges us to exert our individual force, shatter the state of total collectivism
and live freely. This struggle of individualism versus collectivism is not a political ideal but concerns a
man’s soul. The idea mirrors Ayn Rand’s beliefs that the individual is of supreme value, the
“fountainhead” of creativity, and that selfishness, properly understood as ethical egoism, is a virtue.
In Richard’s capable hands, clay, wax, wood, bronze and marble are transformed into manifestations of
the human condition. He sculpts legends of great inner and outer strength, from Diana and Pygmalion
to Sampson and David. This artist has a great understanding of the possibilities of the male and female
nude and the detailed spectacle of muscles in motion. From head to toe, every inch of Richard’s
sculptures contains the total spectrum of human emotion. His work combines 21st century techniques
with the anatomical precision of the Renaissance Old Masters and the expressionistic movement of
French Impressionism. Truly three-dimensional, these works must be viewed with 360º careful
scrutiny.
Ends
Combining considerable artistic talents with his personal background in bodybuilding, Richard Minns
has already made his unique mark in 21st century sculpture. The son of an Irish father and Jewish
mother, he was born on a Texan ranch in 1929. He has lived all over the world in a larger-than-life
continuous adventure, spanning 14 different successful careers. His life has been the subject of
numerous newspaper and magazine articles, books, movies and television shows. As a world-class
athlete, former boxing champion and rodeo competitor, Minns still holds over 12 world records in
endurance sports. A man of many talents, he first trained to be a doctor; went on to become a
journalism professor; a professional writer; was the brains behind one of America’s largest advertising-
marketing-public relations agencies; and founded one of the world’s widest network of health and
fitness spas.
Today Minns exhibits worldwide, represented by Howe Street Gallery, Vancouver, Canada and Hay Hill
Gallery, London, UK.
Notes to Editors:
Hay Hill Gallery, located on Baker Street, represents a number of internationally recognised
contemporary artists. The sculptures are part of Hay Hill Gallery’s sculpture collection, featuring works
by Gianfranco Meggiato, Eleanor Cardozo, Massimiliano & Alfonso Cacchiarelli, Palolo Valdés, Jamie
McCartney, Andy Cheese, Ian Edwards and Nicola Godden.
For press information and images please contact Sarah Jones, sarah@hayhillgallery.com
Hay Hill Gallery, 35 Baker Street, London W1U 8EN
Tel: 020 7486 6006
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 10.30-6, Saturday 11-5
www.hayhillgallery.com info@hayhillgallery.com