Public Art in Central Christchurch

Wrestlers

Category: Sculpture Title: Wrestlers Primary artist(s): Llewellyn Summers Execution date: 1985 Installation date: 4 March, 1990 Media: Red marble and concrete Approximate dimensions: h .75m w 1.5m d .75m Location: South Hagley Park Setting: Woodlands area, beside Avon Owner / administrator: Parks Unit, Christchurch City Council

Over the years Llew Summers' sculptures have caused controversy and outrage. There are public art works in Kaitaia, Upper Hutt, Timaru, Waimairi and Christchurch that have provoked outcries and strong letters to the papers. Wrestlers was no exception when it was bought by the Christchurch City Council. In 1990 the sculpture was installed in the Botanic Garden on the bank of the Avon. The art work showed two powerful bodies wrapped around each other, the figures performing a wrestling manoeuvre.

Llew Summers has the skill to produce figures on a monumental scale. Aside from the size of Summers public sculptures the familiar controversy that was raised over Wrestlers appears to have centred on concerns over the nudity of the athletes.

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