Simon Allison MRSS

Born Auckland New Zealand 1955. Educated Nelson College, N.Z. Trained University Canterbury, Ilam School of Art, graduated 1978, Diploma Fine Arts, majoring in sculpture. Joined The Court Theatre, Christchurch, N.Z. as scenic artist and set designer, 1979. 1981 awarded, N.Z. Arts Council grant to travel and study theatre in Australia. Travelled extensively in the United States and Canada in 1983/84. Arrived in England 1984 and after a brief trip to Europe set up Red Bronze Studio; the fine arts casting foundry in London.

In 1993 he moved business to Oxfordshire becoming Lockbund Sculpture Foundry.  Living with his wife (Jane Hamilton) and their children, he developed the business here and expanded into large studios and gallery exhibition space, now known as Lockbund Sculpture Gallery where they hold a major exhibition in the spring of every year.

His earlier works dealt with the subjects of landscape and the human condition within that landscape, often with a strong theatrical imagery. He works with a various materials including stone, wood, bronze, glass and often works with various materials in combination.  His scale is constantly monumental but his work ranges in size from the hand held all the way up to 50 metres.  Working with a strong physical and direct material language Simon’s sculpture often discuss the power and fragility of the physical and spiritual balance.

His work is fuelled by the landscape the cosmos and human endeavour.