SOMERVILLE, Alan

Alan Somerville is a figurative artist, an unashamed Modernist, whose sculptures and drawings are steeped in the expressionistic 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 the physical structure, where movement and expression are vitally important to Somerville. His work seeks to capture a dignity which emanates within the subject and is never static.

Somerville’s 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 World Square, Sir Henry Parkes in Centennial Park, Sir Roden Cutler at Manly, and the three bronze sculptures at the Australian War Memorial, plus countless private commissions in Australia and abroad.

MAJOR PUBLIC SCULPTURES

2008 NZ WW1 Soldier, 4.2m Bronze Anzac Bridge, Sydney

2007 Sir Tristram with Sir Patrick Hogan, Life size bronze, Cambridge NZ

2007 Blessed Pope John 23^rd, Life size bronze NSW Sydney Diocese

2006 Sir Roden Cutler VC, 2.1m Bronze Manly Primary School, Sydney Australia Remembrance Trust

2006 Sculpture representing three works of Sisters of Mercy in Bronze, Mater Hospital, Crows Nest

2005 Manning Horses, three bronze horses, 3/5 life size, Manning building foyer

2003 Clangalan Racehorse 60cm Bronze, Australian Jockey Club

2003 Australian Armed Services personnel, 2 x 4m Bronze wall plaque, Mittagong RSL

2000 Australian WW1 ‘Digger’ 4.2m bronze, Anzac Bridge, Sydney

2000 Bronze Phoenix, 2m Bronze, Paul Keating Park, Bankstown

1999 Bronze Bull, 1 1/3 life size bronze, World Square

1995 Sir Henry Parkes, 2.4m bronze, Centennial Park

1993 Three works, bronze soldiers National Australian War Memorial, Canberra.

Numerous sculptures held in private collections in Australia, NZ, UK and USA.

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a figurative sculptor I aim to capture the essence of the subject based on strong form.  Movement, energy and emotion are very important. I strive for these qualities in my work and value them above absolute anatomical correctness and overworked highly detailed finishing which often destroys spontaneity and feeling. Good art and sculpture should test the viewer’s imagination.

QUOTES ABOUT SOMERVILLE’S WORK

“This outstanding work with its shimmering impressionistic surface outrageously pushes the principles of the great Rodin into the 21^stCentury” James Deas, Fine Arts Dealer, Curator William Bowmore Collection

AWARDS:

Sculptors Society NSW Darling Park, Viewers Choice 2001

Wyong Arts Festival, Sculpture Award for bronze male figure, 2000

Sydney Royal Easter Show1^stprize Figurative & 1^stprize Animal sculpture 1998

Ku-ring-gai Art SocietyAnnual, Grand Prize ‘Best in Show’ plus 1^stand 2^ndprize for drawing and watercolour 1997

Wyong Arts Festival, Special Sculpture Prize 1997

Willoughby City Art Pize, Viewers Choice Sculpture and Viewers Choice in Drawing 1996

Castle Hill Blossom Festival, special Mayoral award in Sculpture and 1^stand 2^ndin drawing, water colour, and oil painting 1996 & 1997,

Wyong Arts Festival, special Sculpture prize, 1997

Royal NSW Canine Art Show– Overall best in Art show exhibit award for Sculpture and for watercolour, plus 1^stprize in sculpture, water colour and Drawing section 1995 & 1996

Sydney Combined Art Societies, 1^stprize Watercolour

TEACHES AT:

• Royal Art Society of NSW, North Sydney
• Sydney Sculpture School, Gladesville
• Northbridge School of Visual Arts

Alan also conducts weekend workshops throughout the year at various venues

SOLO EXHIBITONS:

• Salerno Gallery, Glebe
• Frances Keevill Gallery, Double Bay
• Artsite, Camperdown
• Max Taylor Gallery, Summer Hill
• Galeria Aniela, Kangaroo Valley

To contact this sculptor, please email the Sculptors Society’s Secretary Eva Chant at sculpt1@bigpond.net.au