Llew Summers - recent work
About the Artist
Llew Summers was born Christchurch in 1947. He held his first exhibition in 1971 and since then has held many one‐man shows as well as exhibiting alongside other artists such as: Tony Fomison, Fatu Feu’u, Michael Smither, Tom Mutch, Peter Carson, Alan McLean, Roger Hickin, Bing Dawe, Graham Bennett and Fergus Collinson. He has also participated in numerous group shows.
A visibly challenging artist, his work has often caused controversy, but he is proud to have brought the nude to Christchurch. An intuitive sculptor who creates from the heart, he believes that art should be about beauty; enriching and seductive. He also believes it is the role of the artist to challenge: “if it’s not challenging, then, in some way, it’s not new”.
“What’s important to me is to get a balance between the physical and the spiritual in life. We’re given a soul and we’re given a body. Sculpture is a nice balance because works can be made which are deep and meaningful, but they require your physical body to produce them. Works must have soul, rather than being merely clever or smart.”
About this Exhibition
Llew’s focus has been primarily on figurative works, and is celebratory of the human form, affirming the beauty of the human body. However, following a formative and revelatory overseas trip, his use of religious symbolism has developed and has led to his current and fertile preoccupation with winged forms; most often, but not exclusively, attached to bodies.
These angels are an obvious melding of the human and the divine – and bring an explicitly spiritual element to his work, highlighting the important role of morality, and the spiritual dimension of human existence.
In the Chamber Gallery, Rangiora Library, 11 July - 12 August
Presented by the Waimakariri Community Arts Council
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Sculptures by Llew Summers
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Mother and child by Llew Summers
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Moth by Llew Summers
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Heaven sent by Llew Summers
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Renegade Angel
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Hope with Wings
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