Richard MacDonald American, b. 1946
After devoting more than twenty years to the perfection of the human form in bronze, Richard MacDonald focused on a series of sculptures based on his work with dancers from the Royal Ballet. The studies were designed to be the groundwork for the creation of a monumental Grand Coda. In 540 Revolution, Richard MacDonald’s choice of the extreme twist of the dancer’s torso gives the viewer a kinetic sense of the dancer’s ability to spin through the air – the outstretched leg signifies the great degree of control Sergei Polunin is exercising. Polunin embodies youth, natural ability and charisma – he has been likened to Nureyev. Sergei’s facial expression intense focus and deliberate control, lends psychological gravity to this piece about his defiance of gravity.