Phyllida Barlow

Book excerpt: The British sculptor Phyllida Barlow CBE RA (b. 1944) studied at Chelsea College of Art (1960-63) and the Slade School of Art (1963-66), where she later taught for much of her career. Since retiring from teaching in 2009, she has been elected a Royal Academician, created new work for Tate Britain and the Royal Academy, had numerous solo shows and represented Britain at the Venice Biennale. Barlow's large-scale sculptures eschew serenity, balance, and beauty in favour of instability, obstruction, and oddness. This study of Phyllida Barlow situates her as an important figure within British contemporary art.