Abstract Standard Floor Lamp Sculpture by David Graves, 1960s

This extraordinary and unique abstract standard lamp in copper, wood and cotton cloth is by renowned British artist David Graves, who was a sculptor, paper restorer and assistant to David Hockney.
Measuring over six-feet tall, the lamp has a stepped ebonized wooden base, on which protrudes two tall copper uprights which terminate with the bulb holders inside the shade. The shade, which is made from a stiffened cloth has been pierced with brass eyelets, threaded with metal wire then crumpled into shape, giving the most wonderful warm fiery glow when lit.
An abstract copper figure forms the body of the sculpture, where Graves has twisted, woven, bent and welded the copper and wire to form a figure. The sculpture has a wonderful patination and has not been touched since its creation, apart from being professionally rewired with 3-core braided wire and foot-switch.

Provenance:
As a practising sculptor, David Graves worked as a paper restorer at Petersburg Press, with a studio opposite David Hockney's in London. David’s wife to be, Ann Graves (formerly Upton), met Hockney in 1960 and became his model in 1962. By the late 1970s Graves was working as Hockney's assistant, helping with stage sets and later with the preparation and editioning of Hockney's composite photographs.
Subsequently Graves appeared in Hockney’s paintings and drawings alongside his wife Ann. When the couple married in Hawaii, Hockney was their “wedding photographer” creating a photographic collage and drawings of the occasion!
David and Ann Graves moved to our town of Sherborne, Dorset, in 2013. David died in 2019 and his collection of modern art was sold through our local auction house.