jacob epstein

[tali122]

if jacob epstein was so controversial -how come he was knighted?- his sculptures caused much outcry -yet there is no mention of such furore regarding his knighthood-puzzling

it would be like michael barrymore getting knighted when you consider the apparent controversy of his sculptures

[dotjhawkes]

Probably because he was the creator of the Pan in hyde park and the most famous sculpture of our greatest statesman, Sir Winston Churchill. that would get you in any where around here, knighthood or not.

[gary baldy]

I like the use of Jacob Epstein and Michael Barrymore's name in the same breath!
There are two reasons Epstein was controversial - although he was a well appreciated in the art 'establishment' the public always found his work 'challenging'. His expressionist style and apparent 'obscenity' meant the there was often public resistance to his work. The second reason was an apparent anti semitism amongst certain parts of the establishment (not the art establishment) and from the public.

[jno]

perhaps a fairer comparison would be with Mick Jagger, young rebel who sticks around long enough to become an establishment figure.