Royal Academy exhibition begins year of British Sculpture

2011 sees a plethora of galleries and museums devoting shows to British Sculpture

The Royal Academy in London is only one of a host of UK galleries centreing on British Sculpture this year. Modern British Sculpture, which opened to positive reviews on the weekend, is the first exhibition for 30 years devoted to British Sculpture of the 20th century. But there are several other sculpture exhibitions running concurrently to the exhibition, leading some to believe the attention might have a positive effect on auction house sculpture sales.

Frances Christie, Sotheby's director of 20th-century British art told the Wall Street Journal: "We have an increasing number of new buyers who recognize that a sculpture has just as much impact as a painting on the wall."

Other exhibitions in the UK include Lynn Chadwick: The Couple at Pangolin London until Febuary 26. Many of the artist's bronzes are on sale between £3,000 - £1 million as well as drawing and prints by the artist.

Opening in May is the Hepworth Wakefield museum, dedicated to Yorkshire's own Barbara Hepworth, who is widely considered as one of the most important British artists of the 20th century. The Henry Moore Institute in Leeds opens a show in October dedicated to works from the 60s and 70s.