Just in: Carol Summers Jewelry

July 23, 2012

Many of us, especially those living in California, are familiar with the celebrated printmaker Carol Summers’ cascading abstract landscapes, glistening sunrises, and luminous visions of ancient ruins. For over fifty years, Summers has perfected his unconventional printing technique, a process that consists of “rubbing” the ink onto handmade paper and finishing it with a solvent of mineral spirits that cause the ink to bleed and blend. It is a lifelong fascination of the interplay between color and light.

Summers further explored this relationship through various jewelry-making interludes throughout his career. We’re excited to announce that the upcoming auction will include a pin and brooch designed by Summers in the late 1960s. Summers recently spoke to me over the phone from his house in Santa Cruz.

Paul Des Marais: At what point in your career were you making jewelry?

Carol Summers: “I made jewelry over a long period of time. It was something I always did because it was fun for me. I was not a jeweler and still not, but I’ve made quite a bit over the years. I did them in New York when I lived there. I left New York in 1972 and moved to California. I enjoyed doing it for the fun, but it got expensive. Being an artist, I’m not necessarily put off by that. I’ve been very lucky to have made a living at something that I love.”

PD: What sort of materials did you use and why?

CS: “Sometimes I would use gold if the piece wasn’t very large. If the parts were small, I would use gold. They’ve all been cut-out metals; I utilize one metal against the other. That’s what I was interested in. Sometimes I would make proofs, less than ten. The world is not awash with Carol Summers jewelry.”

PD: The forms resemble some of the images you include in many of your prints. Can you tell me about these recurring themes?

CS: “The sunlight figure is certainly one of the images I use in many of my prints. I often include suns and moons in my prints. Progress of day, night, day, night. As time goes by, you might call it.”

LAMA wishes to thank Carol Summers for his time and insight in helping us to catalogue these pieces.

- Paul Des Marais, Contributing Writer

Lot Information:

Carol Summers
Brooch and pin
c. 1965 – 69
Each from the edition of 75
Brooch: sterling silver, bronze and gold; pin: sterling silver and bronze
Estimate $2,000 – 3,000
To be offered in October 7, 2012 Auction