Geographies, networks and ambition: the works of William Goscombe John, 1888-1942

This PhD thesis expands sculptural debates on the imperial, geo-political and art historical relations of British New Sculpture at the turn of the twentieth century. In re-evaluating the works of the patriotic Welsh New Sculptor, William Goscombe John, in line with theories of the agency of his works, John’s sculptures take us from London to Paris, Wales, India and the Congo. The circumnavigation of these works map national and international geographical boundaries to chart John’s expanding networks of connections. Within this, John simultaneously confronted the thorny issues of the problems of sculptural form and the need to tactically make a space for himself and his work within the fiercely competitive sculptural world of the Royal Academy.

In re-centring John’s career, this thesis’ unique perspective considers how he not only consolidated his New Sculpture practice with national identity, the plurality of sculptural modernisms, and artist and artisan, but his roles at the National Museum of Wales in terms of collection building and the reception of Rodin. Through John, this thesis re-evaluates his contributions to cast new light on the roles of elite Royal Academicians, notions of national (Welsh) identity, and what it meant to be a son of Empire, within a cultural, geographical and professional networking framework.