Twisted - Simon Lewis Wards e-catalogue 2022

Rhubarb Twist, 2022 Cast glass, L360 x W300 x H350mm

Lilac Twist, 2022 Cast glass, L500 x W400 x H270mm

$8900

Simon Lewis Wards

Simon Lewis Wards is a sculptor based in Tāmaki Makaurau and works predominantly in glass and ceramics. He is best known for his playful interpretations of iconic New Zealand candy and the sense of childlike excitement they inspire. Nostalgia whether memories and objects of childhood, stories, and play, is the central thread through Simon’s practice.

Wards credits pioneer of the studio glass movement in Aotearoa, the late John Croucher and son Luke Jacomb for his introduction to glassmaking , in his case, the challenging lost wax techinque of glass casting. They created structure, opportunity and support during his early years of making.

Wards was attracted to glass and its palette of confectionery colours from those childhood sugary jubes we all know and remember.

Wards new work has moved to larger and more sculptural glass forms that require a deep knowledge of material and its exciting possibilities.

The works for this first exhibition have grown from his early days as a graffiti artist, their twisting and somewhat acrobatic forms expressing the line and movement of graffiti script but also the muscular energy of tagging.

The signature or shorthand of his practice. His sculpting of these manipulated forms requires both high risk decision making and artful spontaneity.