Ron Robertson-Swann, Cornucopia, 1994, sculpture,
Summary
Although born in and a resident of Sydney, formalist sculptor Ron Robertson-Swann has a long and complex relationship with Melbourne, partly wrought through his controversial public artwork 'Vault', held in the city's Art and Heritage Collection and viewable on this website. The sculpture, unveiled in 1980, has been mythologised over time and become urban actor of sorts, even featuring in several other artworks in the city's collection.
In 2015, a second sculpture by Robertson-Swann entered the Art and Heritage Collection. Made in 1994, 'Cornucopia' was acquired by auction through the sale of the estate of notable Australian artist Colin Lanceley. Inverting the classic symbol of abundance, Robertson-Swann brings a sense of abstraction to this timeless symbol, here rendered in galvanised iron and recognisable through its conical central element.
