Arp: the Poetry of Forms

The notion of a ‘poetry of forms’ is powerfully expressed in the sculptures, reliefs, drawings, paintings, poems and other texts of Hans Jean Arp (1886-1966). A consummate draughtsman, sculptor, painter and printmaker, Arp was also a gifted poet in two languages; an acute sensitivity to the spoken and written word permeates his writings in French and German alike. All of these activities are enriched by his highly original artistic sensibility and gentle humour. Taken as a whole, the visual, sculptural and textual works he produced throughout a long career establish a web of relationships, echoes and dialogues; both individually and as a whole, they continue to accrue new meanings.