Gerda Rubinstein

Gerda Rubinstein was born in Berlin in 1931 and moved to Amsterdam in 1933 where she attended the Rijks Academie, winning a scholarship to study in Paris under Ossip Zadkine. Returning to Amsterdam she was awarded her first public sculpture commissions.

In 1958 she came to London where in 1967 Pat Gibberd saw her work on exhibition and recommended it to the Harlow Arts Trust. She was commissioned to make sculptures for the town and the Gibberd Garden including a portrait of Sir Frederick. Gerda's sculptures are very popular in Harlow. They are familiar, well appreciated and many inspire real affection.

Gerda’s sculptures have developed from early carving in stone and then refractory brick, in which she carved negative shapes into which bronze was poured. She now concentrates on modelling in wax for small work or in clay for larger pieces, which are then cast in bronze or resin.

Gerda explained: "My sculptures are almost always of people, getting my inspiration from where I live. I have also made portraits and modelled birds and animals. I hope that the work, which is generally figurative, will be self-explanatory without the need for titles. I have come to realise that the sense of freedom and hope that I experienced as a teenager in Holland, after five years of occupation in World War II, has really never left me and that it still colours my work".

Mother & Son reborn

Mother & Son by Gerda Rubinstein encapsulates so much that is dear to the life that we know;

• The hope and aspiration of a young Mother, for herself and her child.

• The representation of new life, assuring the continuation of our species.

• The epitome of youth and beauty, masterfully depicted by the sculptor.

• The celebration of multi-culturalism, depicted by the Afro-Caribbean model Sue.

This is such an important work, which has been enjoyed by numerous generations over the decades it has lived in the Gibberd Garden, we are now working to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

Originally hollow moulded in bronze filled glass fibre resin on a mild steel armature, it has not weathered as well as a solid bronze resin cast.

We have been given permission by Gerda’s family to recast the work in solid bronze resin and offer two for sale, at production cost price, in order to achieve a new cast for Harlow.

A market price for an edition this work would normally be £12,750.00 which would include artist fees and Gallery commission.

Only two are available at £8,400 each. First come first served. Contact Roger Lee, The Gallery at Parndon Mill. info@parndonmill.co.uk