Astrid's Work

Art Work of Astrid Zydower

It has never ceased to astonish me that Astrid accomplished so much, and as I probe deeper into her life I am contantly uncovering work of which I was totally unaware. I spent a reasonable amount of time with Astrid, but there were those odd weeks and months into which she slipped yet more wonderful examples, and then either forgot to mention them or concentrated entirely on work in hand.

I have tried in this section to deal with her work in some chronological order, but there are inevitable overlaps. Photographs, or indeed information, on some work is scant. If anyone has material that they would like to add do please contact me. Full credit will, of course, be given.

In general I have only indicated the location of work that is not in private hands this being the desire of most owners.

There has been a discussion with Astrid's family about the possibility of an exhibition. My own feeling is that this would be a wonderful way in which to celebrate her, but organising and collecting items is not without its problems. Hopefully, we shall be able to arrange such an occassion before too long.

Peter C Amsden ARPS ABIPP

Links to her work in chronological order

Early work - Some of her early pieces of the period 1957-1967

Shakespeare - Perhaps the first truly major project that Astrid undertook was for the Shakespeare exhibition organised and directed by Richard Buckle

Expo 67 - British Pavilion for the Expo 67 exhibition in Canada. The theme was to be the British at Home, and this demanded a considerable number of larger than life figures to be created.

Thomas More - Thomas More 1967

ITN TV Gallery - ITA Television Gallery 1968 commissioned by James Gardner

Berlioz bust - Bronze bust of the composer, Berloiz

Expo 70 - The Eindhoven Museum and Expo 70 – both commissions from James Gardner

Churchill - Churchill Bronze 1971 commissioned by James Gardner

Marie Rambert - Marie Rambert Bust 1971

Commonwealth Institute - Commission from the Commonwealth Institute in London for which Astrid provided a family of elephants and a sampan

Pilkington Glass - The art of glassblowing for the Pilkington museum in Mersyside

Orpheus - Orpheus 1974 – 84

St Paul’s - St Pauls Nativity 1975. The commission for this now well know Nativity scene came from Canon Wilson of St Pauls

Jewish Museum - The Museum of the Jewish Diaspora 1977

The scribe - The Scribe 1978

Warwick Castle - The Missing Warwick Castle Bear of 1979

Ballet Dancers Male and female ballets dancers, commissioned by the School of American Ballet

Ulysess - Ulysses and Dog Argus

Cyparissus - Her final, and unrevealed work

Etchings Seldom seen, her etchings are as distinctive as her sculpture