Andrew Drummond was born in Nelson, New Zealand in 1951. He gained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fine Art from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada and has been exhibiting since 1973. Between 1992 and 2003 Drummond was Senior Lecturer in Sculpture at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Among his public commissions is a major bronze designed for the foyer of the Fletcher Challenge Building in Auckland.

For vigour and viability formed a component of the installation Supports for Falling Limbs and Articles for an Ongoing Nature at Queensland Art Gallery from 18 July to 23 September, 1990. Of the installation Drummond has said:

'"For vigour and viability" is a wall mounted object that has a suggested function by the use of associated images that loosely connect and overlap. The slate component has been taken from a broken billiard table and I have used a corner pocket area to allow the "play" to take place. This has been highlighted by the application of wooden cushions; guides, and the pocket rag which allows things to fall into the hole whilst being protected. I have engraved images into the slate which are falling in this way. The images are closely related to the Supports for Falling Limbs [and Articles for an Ongoing Nature]; they are seed like and ready to be tested. The red rag and the copper horns at the bottom of the box give another layer, using the adage red rag to the bull. The copper form which sits between the rag and horns is the 3 tiered collector into which the engraved seed pods are falling and also acts as the mystery component, not being one thing or the other, within the work.'(1)

Drummond's work relates to a number of developments in twentieth century art, particularly in the post World War Two period - conceptual art, the relation of materials and structure to ideas, assemblage of found objects, environmental art, the use of natural materials, and the sensitive interaction between the artist and his materials. While Joseph Beuys is an obvious inspiration, Drummond can also be compared to Queensland artist Tom Risley (represented in the Queensland Art Gallery's Collection), a contemporary at much the same stage in his career.

Although a wall-piece and an assemblage, For vigour and viability works as a sculpture and as such is independent of the larger installation of which it formed a part. It has a narrative that can be read on multiple levels, including the identification of primary aspects of human experience and their connection with natural forms and energies.

1. Kirker, Anne. Supports for Falling Limbs and Articles for an Ongoing Nature [exhibition catalogue], Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, 18 July-23 September 1990, unpaginated.