Derek Carruthers (1935–2021) – Construction Scene with Mannequin Figures – Original Watercolour, 1997

This original watercolour, signed and dated January 1997, is by the British artist Derek Carruthers (1935–2021). The composition depicts a group of articulated artists’ mannequins engaged in a collaborative act of construction, set within a complex architectural framework of intersecting beams and structural elements.

Carruthers’ use of the artist’s mannequin was both conceptually and practically rooted in his long-standing role as Head of Art at Durham University, where such mannequins were central to his teaching practice. Valued for their neutrality and adaptability, they allowed Carruthers to explore form, movement and structure while removing individual identity. In this work, the mannequins operate as universal stand-ins, directing attention towards collective action and shared endeavour.

At the centre of the scene, the figures manoeuvre geometric cube forms outlined in warm tones, set in deliberate contrast to the more restrained architectural background. Additional geometric solids—cones and pyramids—anchor the foreground, reinforcing Carruthers’ sustained interest in balance, order and spatial relationships.

Executed in watercolour with controlled line and subtle tonal variation, the work demonstrates Carruthers’ developing visual language during the 1990s, a period in which architectural structure and symbolic form increasingly replaced overt narrative. The scaffold-like setting suggests themes of construction, progress and the systems—both physical and social—that govern human cooperation.

Derek Carruthers was a British artist recognised for his intellectually rigorous approach to figurative painting. Throughout his career, he became closely associated with the use of articulated artists’ mannequins as archetypal representations of humanity, allowing him to examine how individuals function within larger organisational frameworks.

Created in 1997, this work belongs to an important phase in Carruthers’ practice, anticipating the more overtly allegorical compositions of his later years. The interplay between mannequins, architecture and geometry evokes both construction and constraint—recurring concerns that lie at the core of Carruthers’ artistic enquiry.

Dealers Note

“This is a particularly strong example of Carruthers’ work from the 1990s, a period in which his thinking around structure, cooperation and human systems became increasingly refined. The use of articulated artists’ mannequins, so closely linked to his role as Head of Art at Durham University—adds both authenticity and intellectual depth. Works from this phase anticipate the more overt allegorical compositions of his later career and are increasingly sought after by collectors of serious Modern British art.”

Condition Report

Great condition, like new never been framed

Acquired directly from the artist’s estate, enhancing both its provenance and desirability.

Measurement

Height:        82 cm   /     32.28 inches (with mount)

Width:         61 cm   /      24.01 inches (with mount)

Height:        71 cm   /      27.95 inches (without mount)

Width:         50 cm   /     19.86 inches (without mount)