Simon Lewty 1941-2021
Messages From the Past: Master Works From Five Decades
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Simon Lewty
Ancient Summer
1995
pencil and pencil crayon on paper
153 x 160 cm
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Simon Lewty
Jokes on the Porch
1993
pencil and acrylic on paper
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Simon Lewty
Jokes on the Porch (detail)
1993
pencil and acrylic on paper
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Simon Lewty
Logic
2003
coloured ink, acrylic, pastel
49 x 87 cm
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Simon Lewty
Eclipse, Sea, Dream, Song
2012
ink on paper
87.5 x 68 cm
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Simon Lewty
Eclipse, Sea, Dream, Song
(detail)
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Simon Lewty
Nereid: Melite
2018
tachygraphy text, ink on gesso on paper
26 x 26 cm
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Simon Lewty
Dartmoor Known and Unknown
1988
pencil and pencil crayon on paper
46 x 224 cm
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Simon Lewty
Ritual of an Ancient Window
1978
pen and ink on paper
49.5 x 129.5 cm
Simon Lewty 1941–2021
Messages From the Past: Master Works From Five Decades
10 October - 22 December 2023
Art First is pleased to present this first tribute exhibition to Simon Lewty since his death in 2021, bringing to light some of his most affecting, curious and brilliant works. The dream-like imagery, with its flow of calligraphic words and the overall poetic output, is unlike that of any other artist. Following his major debut exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery, London in 1985, his practice evolved privately, from home studios in Leamington Spa and through regular exhibitions with Art First in London. Various Art fairs and occasional exhibitions of work abroad, acquisitions and guest appearances in museums throughout the UK, brought him to the attention of others, especially artists, but for the most part he did not travel or ‘market’ himself, making only occasional appearances at exhibitions, attending his own openings and gallery dinners, but then rapidly retreating to the calm and privacy of his studio. He leaves an extraordinary legacy.
