Sculptor’s children in court fight with stepmother over his works
THE children of a renowned sculptor have taken their stepmother to court in a battle over his artwork.
The family of Lynn Chadwick, who died in 2003 aged 88, have become embroiled in a bitter legal row over ownership of hundreds of his works.
The case pits Sophie Chadwick, 58, his youngest daughter, against the company her father set up to market his works – Lypiatt Studio Ltd.
Eva, Mr Chadwick’s widow, is a director of the company who owns 52 per cent of the shares, as are Sarah Marchant, 60, Sophie’s sister, and Daniel, 49, her half brother. Sophie Chadwick, who is representing herself in court, says most of her father’s works and copyrights should form part of his estate and be divided equally among his children.
However, lawyers for Lypiatt Studio Ltd claim the company is the rightful owner of the bulk of his oeuvre.
Under the artist’s will, his widow, whom he married in 1965, was left half of Lypiatt outright, the other half being placed in trust to produce an income for her for life. He also bequeathed her two of his shares in the company, giving her a controlling stake in the business they established together in 1973.
Judge Richard Spearman QC heard that his children were left with minority stakes of 12 per cent each. His personal possessions, excluding his works of art, were “divided informally” among his family. Everything else was left in trust for the children equally, Amanda Michaels, the barrister for the company, said.
“This claim relates primarily to the rights in his works of sculpture – including mobiles and stabiles – but also includes the company’s claim to numerous drawings and lithographs, many but not all of which are associated with his 3D works,” she said.
Miss Michaels said the artist had operated as “a sole trader” in his early career but, from 1973, he did everything through the company.
The barrister accepted that the ownership issue is complicated by the fact that Mr Chadwick created some of his collection before the company came into existence.
The issue comes down to the extent to which Mr Chadwick transferred his physical creations and copyrights to the company before his death.
The barrister argued that all the hundreds of works and copyrights he owned prior to 1973 had then been transferred to Lypiatt Studio Ltd.
Judge Spearman has now reserved his ruling in the case and will give his decision at a later date.