'Emissary' - Sculpture in Ancaster* by Johnny J. Sunter
£650
“Emissary” draws inspiration from dualities, winged messengers who evoke both awe and unease, acting as harbingers of doom yet bringers of joy. The sculpture captures this tension in form and feeling, suggesting a presence that hovers between warning and welcome. Visually, it takes cues from the Brutalist beauty of the Barbican’s residential towers, echoing the angular concrete balcony fronts in its structure. These architectural elements ground the piece in the urban environment, while its wing-like extensions suggest something more ethereal, even mythic.
Detail
Detail
Hand carved in Ancaster approx. 1000mm x 200mm x 120mm
Johnny J. Sunter
In 2019, Johnny stepped away from a long corporate career to embrace a slower, more solitary life in the studio. Working mainly in stone and plywood, his practice is rooted in the rhythm of carving—meditative, physical, and honest. Drawing inspiration from mythology, modernist architecture, and imagined futures, his sculptures reflect a deep fascination with form, space, and permanence. Travels across Europe—especially to Italy—have shaped both his technique and confidence. He prefers direct carving over maquettes, allowing the material to guide the process. New to exhibiting, Johnny is steadily building a body of work that speaks in quiet, powerful volumes.