After more than five amazing years in Glebe it is with mixed emotions that we announce Salerno Gallery will be moving to a new space. Glebe has been absolutely wonderful […]
Sagacity – Alan Somerville
22nd September – 15th October, 2011
Opening Night:
Thursday 22nd of September 6.30 – 8.30pm
Salerno gallery is proud to present the works of one of Australia’s foremost artists, a true Master sculptor, Alan Somerville.
Alan Somerville is an unashamed Modernist, whose sculptures and drawings are steeped in the expressionist style of Rodin, Degas and Daumier. Somerville’s grasp of shape and form is as self-evident as is his dynamic depiction and romantic notion of the human anatomy. Poetic territories are explored, and these qualities are borne from his uncompromising dedication and understanding of a medium that few present day figurative sculptors possess. Movement and expression is important to Somerville, his work seeks to capture a dignity which emanates within, and the subject is never static.
Somerville is a fiercely principled artist, and his reluctance to allow his artistic integrity to be compromised for the sake of a lucrative commission is well documented. His body of work is both broad and critically acclaimed. His numerous public works include the two iconic bronze Diggers on Sydney’s Anzac bridge, The Bull at Sydney’s World Square, plus countless private commissions.
There is no self-appointed atmosphere of importance to Somerville’s work; it is borne purely from his necessity to create and present art distinguished for its emotion, energy and action. For Somerville, it’s not just a simple representation, not just a single dimensional concept. It is more about the soul, and the spirit that dwells within.
This retrospective comprises not only a collection of Somerville’s sculptures, but also a limited number of his rarely seen, but highly sought after drawings. Join us at the opening, and meet a true Master.