Wild Thing: Epstein, Gaudier-Brzeska, Gill

Discover how British sculpture was revolutionised at the turn of the 20th century in a fascinating new exhibition at London's Royal Academy of Arts.

Wild Thing at the Royal Academy of Arts in London

This new exhibition centres around three remarkable young sculptors who emerged in the early 20th century: Jacob Epstein, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and Eric Gill.

The three artists were an important part of the radical transformation of British sculpture over one momentous decade (1905 to 1915).

There are more than 90 works on show, including many that have not been exhibited in London before.

What to See at Wild Thing

At Wild Thing you can explore different rooms, each dedicated to the work, achievements and legacy of each artist.

The exhibition draws on the artists' main areas of interest: sex, fertility, the human condition, industrialisation and the impact of war.

Highlights of the works on display, which range from sculptures to drawings and pastels, include:

• Rock Drill: Epstein's robotic masterpiece
• Birds Erect: Gaudier's innovative carving
• Ecstasy: Gill's controversial carving of the sexual act

The Artists: Epstein, Gaudier-Brzeska and Gill

The title of the exhibition, Wild Things, is taken from a description of Gaudier-Brzeska by the American poet Ezra Pound.

The three artists came from very diverse backgrounds: Epstein was a Jew from New York; Gaudier's father was an Orleans joiner; and Gill was the son of a Brighton clergyman.

Yet when they met in London, the trio inspired each other and revolutionised British sculpture with bold, wild inventiveness and radical works that often proved controversial.