Arp, Jean, << ahrp, zhon >> (1887-1966), was a French sculptor. He was also called Hans Arp. He worked with many materials, including wood, bronze, and polished stone. Arp became famous for his reliefs, free-standing sculptures, and collages (see Collage ). While Arp’s works may at first seem abstract, many of them suggest plants, animals, and human anatomy. These organic forms capture the life, vitality, and sense of growth found in nature, rather than specific physical appearances.
Arp avoided preconceived plans when creating his works. He let the sculpture “create itself” in such works as Shepherd of the Clouds (1953).
Arp was born on Sept. 16, 1887, in Strasbourg. He was also a painter, poet, and graphic artist. He exhibited with the German Expressionist artists just before World War I (1914-1918). In 1916, he helped found Dadaism. He was later associated with the Surrealists (see Dadaism ; Surrealism ). He died on June 7, 1966.
