'Cat', 1954, Bronze, 17 ½ x 23 ¼ x 7 ½ in
Born in Somerset, Clatworthy’s rural upbringing inspired his animal subject matter. He moved to London, studying at Chelsea School of Art under Bernard Meadows, and became close friends with Elisabeth Frink. In the 1950’s Clatworthy was selected to become Henry Moore’s assistant, where he developed his practice and was persuaded to join the Slade School of Art. Clatworthy’s ominous, semi-abstracted, bronzes of bulls, cats and figurative subjects saw the artist be informally associated with the Geometry of Fear group. During this time, critic David Sylvester wrote that Clatworthy was “...the best thing I have seen by any English sculptor younger than Henry Moore”. Despite a dip in popularity over the 1970s and 80s, Clatworthy continued to undertake public London commissions and exhibit his sculpture. His works were collected by institutions including the Tate Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum and the Arts Council.