Medal, bronze, England, 2003

Dutton’s practice expanded significantly in the late 1990s and early 2000s to consider new subjects and surface effects, as seen in Cosmopolis . Early in his career, Dutton relied on polish and textures to create contrast and depth in works like Wye Plough Edge (1980; A.3-2024) and Icarus Tries (1992; A.6-2024).

Dutton subsequently began experimenting with colour, manipulating the bronze material to achieve the green patina seen on the surface of Cosmopolis . Furthermore, the content of Cosmopolis appears to deviate from Dutton’s typical, landscape-based medals. His medals produced in the early 2000s have an ‘engineered quality with corners and quadrants.’ This shift in style reflects Dutton’s interest in flying and space, which becomes clear in both the title and content of this specific medal.

As mankind began exploring space to a greater extent, Dutton felt a need to respond to these new discoveries, considering it a ‘logical extension of his ongoing interest in the forces of nature’ (Flynn, ‘Reflections in Bronze’, 10). Square bronze medal, biface, geometric, abstract Given by Ron Dutton in 2024.