David Johnston-Smith, the project archivist currently cataloguing the Dame Elisabeth Frink archival collection, was delighted to be invited to speak at a recent Christie’s Lates event on 13th January in London. David was due to be introducing the archival collection to the large and enthusiastic crowd these popular evening events encourage, whilst Annette Ratuszniak, former curator to the Frink Estate for her son Lin Jammet, spoke in depth about the Frink sculptures to be sold by Christie’s later in the month, for which some images from the collection were used in the sale catalogue. Unfortunately, at the last minute, Annette was unable to attend, so David also presented Annette’s thoughts about the two large Frink sculptures being sold – Running Man from 1978, and one of the Desert Quartet heads from 1989.
The fifteen-minute talk was the first of the evening and was given by microphone from the floor of one of the large gallery rooms, whilst the two Frink pieces were looking at their very best in the same room. Well over one hundred people were in the room to hear him speak, and there was considerable interest in the archive which David is cataloguing, a project which is due to be completed by this Autumn. David remained to discuss the collection with attendees who could see a small selection of images chosen from the photographic part of the archive. Several people talked about how, once catalogued, they would like to visit the Dorset History Centre to access the collection, which was very pleasing.
Do keep an eye on our blogs, newsletters and social media in order to keep up to date with progress on this exciting project!