Llewelyn SUMMERS Obituary

I was greatly saddened to hear of Llew's death. Our relationship started in the early 80s when I began to promote his sculpture in my design studio situated on the mezzanine floor of the Shades Arcade in Cashel Street. Having newly arrived from London, I was stunned at the energetic raw talent of this untrained artist who was still working as a barrow boy at the produce market! In fact he transported one his first concrete sculptures up the steel stairway steps on a sack barrow & delivered it to my studio on a late night Friday evening. I have the privilege of owning 3 of his works, which have always been greatly admired by international visitors & are still as relevant today as they were when he first conceived & made them. Over the years we sometimes met at gallery openings & He visited me just over a year ago at my new home & looked as ever his old buoyant self. We drank an Italian liqueur together, & being only Llew he commented on how nice the Georgian glasses were! ( No one else would have noticed ) so it with great surprise & sorrow that I mourn his passing .I still regard him as the RODIN of New Zealand both in the way he lived & the passion he had for his art.
He will be greatly missed, but his public sculptures will endure as a reminder of one of the South Island's greatest artists & personalities!

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to one of the best men, ever, Llew Summers. We're so grateful for the fun installs, life's lessons, book recommendations, laughs, arguments, asparagus, wonderful parties with Llew and Robyn, the guidance, generosity, and the art.

Dear Robyn and family,
Llew's passing is a great loss. He was a man of kindness, intellect, passion, vision, creativity, generosity and above all, fun. I am grateful for the times working with Llew in the early 2000s- his friendship was colourful and inspiring. The Art! The laughs! The debates! The parties! It was an honour to have known this wonderful, dynamic man.

Our love and thoughts go out to Robyn and all of Llew's family . What a great , kind , generous and talented man . His friendship and wisdom will be greatly missed. His art and legacy will live on . With live from LEstrange family and artists of LEstrange gallery .

Dear Robyn and Whanau,
I am so sorry for your loss. Llew had a beautiful mind and kind spirit. His creative and accepting personality was an inspiration to many including myself and my mum. It was a special invitation for my mum when we were invited for afternoon tea to see your art collection. I was so thankful for the way you both treated my mum who even then had advanced Alzheimer's. She was motivated to paint more after our visit. And I was inspired too and so proud of my mum!
This poem sums up Llew, to me.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.Khalil Gibran

Dear Robyn and family. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your loved one.
Llew will be missed greatly. A witty, generous, lovely and funny man with a big smile and sparkly eyes. Fair well to a wonderful and passionate artist.

To us Llew Summers was and remains a true, brilliant, kind sparkling gift to humanity with eyes like sapphires. His lucious fluid expression of life and being human gives so much to so many in the crowded and sometimes questionable arts landscape. Llews extraordinary Sculptures, his honest vision and supreme skilled craftsmanship,alongside his pleasure in humankind lives on. Llew and his Art were exceptional. In this we are lucky to have his gorgeous bright spirit around us. Our deep love to Robyn, Whanau and close friends. Nikki Robb and Ross Coombes. Dunedin

Dear Robyn and family. We share your grief at Llew's passing. We remember with such happiness our day with you both at your lovely home and the beauties we found in that house and garden- and in the generous and loving friendship you both gave us.
Norma and Lindsay McCallum, Waikanae

Robyn and whanau we share our grief with you at the loss of Llew, such a special, talented, spirited, generous taonga. Llew has left an amazing legacy in you, in others and in his incredible artwork. Our hearts and warm wishes are with you all at this time. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou. Arohanui, Tui and Bruce

My most sincere condolences to Robyn ,Kristen, Daniel, Justin, all the grandchildren and your numerous siblings. Llew was such a very special guy, what hole he leaves in so many lives. I can't believe there will be no more crazy questions / conversations that could only be had with you. RIP my friend.

How incredible sad to learn about Llews passing! What a lovely, generous and amazing man and artist! Our heartfelt condolences to Robyn and his family.

I have a flood of wonderful memories with you Llew, and feel devastated at hearing this news, men like you should live forever, full of positive energy and inspiration, from our earliest connection with Rose when the children were young you lived grandly the frugal life of an artist, and the years your sculture 'follow me' sat on our lawn in Cashel street and we saw the pleasure it gave the local kids, nothing but happy memories, RIP

Love and blessings to you all, a beautiful Talented man> xxx

Juliana - friend from 60s appreciated talks laughs, tears, reality of a good friend.

Thank you Llew for treasured memories. You will be so missed. Your legacy lives on. Farewell dear boy. Love Sue Hadley

Will miss your smile and energy , moe mai ra Llew ❤

A life well lived by a great man with a zest for life. We will remember your exuberance, boisterous laughter and great energy Uncle Llew not to mention a wonderful legacy and extensive art works for all to enjoy. Soar high in the heavens you will be dearly missed. Love Marg, IHI, Ariana

Missing you Llew, what a special man of fun and energy and passion and kindness and strength. My heart goes out to Robyn and Llews family and I will treasure memories xx JB

I am so grateful to have shared adventurous times and many varied conversations with you brother-in-law. Always in my heart. Love and condolences to Robyn, Daniel, Kristin and all extended family. Love Judi

We all knew it was coming, and then now the grief is overwhelming. It is also sobering for those of us left behind. Love and Condolences to all the extended family, I am with you in spirit. Now you will be flying free brother Llew. Love Gwilym

SUMMERS,
Llewelyn Mark (Llew):
On August 1, 2019, Llew died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. Aged 72 years. A great man who will be greatly mourned by many. Beloved partner of Robyn Webster, dearly loved father and father-in-law of Kristin and John Kinney, Daniel Summers and Lillian Bonner, Justin Long and Sandy Barr, and Douschka (dec) and Richard Comins. Loved "grandbad" of Krystal, Briar, Reuben, Ebony, Jonty, Piers, Harry, Olivia, Mele and Joelene, and great-granddad of Lucian and Summer Rose. Many thanks to the Renal Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Dr Peter Chapman and Dr Simon Wynn-Thomas. The funeral will begin at Llew and Robyn’s home on Monday, August 5 at 12.30pm, and he will then be carried to the Mt Pleasant Community Centre for a service, beginning at 1.00pm. Thereafter by invitation.

SUMMERS,
Llewelyn Mark (Llew):
On August 1 Llew set out on his long voyaging. He will be OK, he is well cared for, but will be greatly missed. Dearly loved brother and brother-in-law of Ursula and Tony Ryan.

SUMMERS, Llew:
Extraordinary brother and brother-in-law of Faith and Tony Wright, special uncle to Anthony, Emlyn, Helen, and the late John and Owen, and their families.
Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart of man go together.
(John Ruskin)

SUMMERS, Llewelyn Mark:
A treasured masterpiece of a ‘Grandbad’ to Briar, Reuben, and Ebony, Dad to Kristin, and father-in-law to John Kinney.

SUMMERS,
Llewelyn Mark (Llew):
Llew died at home in their beautiful bedroom surrounded by art on August 1, 2019. A gentle, peaceful leaving. Much loved brother of Bronwen and Gwilym Summers and loved brother-in-law of Judi Summers and John Minto. An inspirational and loved uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered for his drive and passion for life, which he lived to the full, and his large body of work.

Haere ra e Llew
– haere, haere, haere.

SUMMERS, Llew:
Uncle Llew, memories of cheese on toast, wild parties, long conversations, legendary dancing, protest marches, snappy outfits, lots of advice, surfing lessons, latest artworks, another coffee,gold-sequinned undies, and unicycles. All of this we will miss and so much more.
— Jess, Evan, Megan, Elwyn, Rhys, Rachel and families.

SUMMERS,
Llewelyn Mark (Llew):
On August 1, 2019, Llew died peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones. Aged 72 years. A great man who will be greatly mourned by many. Beloved partner of Robyn Webster, dearly loved father and father-in-law of Kristin and John Kinney, Daniel Summers and Lillian Bonner, Justin Long and Sandy Barr, and Douschka (dec) and Richard Comins. Loved "grandbad" of Krystal, Briar, Reuben, Ebony, Jonty, Piers, Harry, Olivia, Mele and Joelene, and great-granddad of Lucian and Summer Rose. Many thanks to the Renal Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Dr Peter Chapman and Dr Simon Wynn-Thomas. Vigils will be held for Llew at his home, 44 Aratoro Place, on Friday, August 2, and Saturday, August 3, from 7.00pm. The funeral will begin at Llew and Robyn’s home on Monday, August 5 at 12.30pm, and he will then be carried to the Mt Pleasant Community Centre for a service, beginning at 1.00pm. Thereafter by invitation.