Wright Auction

Born in Liverpool, England, prominent British sculptor Tony Cragg has lived and worked in Wuppertal, Germany since 1977. He is one of the world’s most distinguished sculptors, celebrated for his innovative approach to form, material, and space. Cragg was raised in a working-class family and his early years were marked by a fascination with the natural world, which would later become a central theme in his artistic practice. He initially pursued studies in science and technical drawing before discovering his passion for art. In fact, he worked as a Lab Technician at the National Rubber Producers Association prior to studying sculpture and earning his BFA at Wimbledon School of Art, London, and the Royal College of Art, London, where he received an MFA. Over the course of his education he began to develop his distinctive style, which seamlessly blends abstract and figural elements.

Cragg’s sculptural language is characterized by a diverse array of materials, ranging from bronze and marble to plastic, fiberglass, or Kevlar. His process often involves manipulation and rearranging these materials to create dynamic compositions that challenge our perceptions of form and space. In recognition for his groundbreaking work, Cragg has received numerous awards and honors, including the Turner Prize (1988) and the Praemium Imperiale for Sculpture, Tokyo (2007), 1st Class Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2012). Notable exhibitions include retrospectives at the Tate Gallery in London, the Ludwig Museum in Cologne, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. His work can be found in prestigious collections such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

In addition to his artistic practice, Cragg is also a passionate educator and advocate for the arts. He has served as a professor at several institutions, including the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris (1999-2009) and Kunstakademie, Dusseldorf (2009–present). Cragg’s enduring legacy lies in his ability to push the very boundaries of sculpture; through his innovative use of materials and his relentless exploration of form, he continues to inspire future generations of artists to push the limits of their own creativity.