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 […]
Aphelion – Alan Somerville
19 July – 4 August, 2012
Opening Night:
Thursday 19th of July 6.00 – 8.00pm
Salerno Gallery proudly brings together new and never previously exhibited drawings and sculptures from iconic Modernist Alan Somerville.
This retrospective explores poetic territories through Somerville’s uncompromising dedication and understanding of the figurative medium. His work seeks to capture a dignity which emanates within, it’s not just a simple representation, not just a single dimensional concept, for Somerville it is more about the soul, and the spirit that dwells within.
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. These qualities are borne from his uncompromising dedication and understanding of a medium that few present day figurative artists possess.
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.