Britain's fiery old Sculptor Jacob Epstein, who has caught his share of brickbats in the past 45 years, stepped up again to heave a few himself. Epstein's targets: the $32,000 Unknown Political Prisoner competition in London (TIME, March 23), and abstract sculpture in general. "Rot," growled Epstein, "abstract atrocities. The whole thing is bunk. One's like another, all empty and meaningless. They philosophize and talk, but it doesn't convince you. You can't take it seriously."
Epstein's blast was only the most recent in a row that has been rumbling ever since Abstractionist Reg Butler's cagelike Prisoner won first prize in the competition...