-MAJOR WORKS-
Created
a life-size, standing figure of a Texas Ranger which is on display
at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas.
Created a larger-than-life,
standing figure of Texas pioneer, Major George B. Erath, also
on display at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame.
Selected from a group of some
100 artists and commissioned to sculpt the ning-foot statue of
John Wayne for the John Wayne Airport in Oragen County California
in October 1980. During the project Summers worked closely
with the Wayne family, after which Patrick Wayne commented, "this
is the first time I have see my father since he died".
In May 1985, the 69th Texas legislature
passed House Bill #33 approving the placement of a monumental bronze
by Robert Summers on the Capitol Grounds in Austin (this being
the first sculpture approved for placement on the grounds for nearly
100 years). At present the project is still under consideration
but work has not begun.
In 1987,
Summers completed a three-quarter life-size version of "Texas
Legacy" (the
above mentioned monument). The sculpture measures 20'x12'x7'
and depicts two cowboys on horseback leading seven Longhorn cattle
over a rail-road crossing and is on display at the main entrance
of the Astro Hall at the Astro Domain in Houston, Texas.
In 1990 was commissioned by the United
States Navy Memorial Foundation to sculpt three large bas-relief
bronzes showing various historical events and duties of the United
States Navy and Coast Guard. The bas-relieves are part of the United
States Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C.
In February 1992 work was completed
on a nine-foot statue of golf legend Byron Nelson. Commissioned
by the U.S.A.A., the bronze is prominently located near the first
tee at the TPC course at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las
Colinas in Irving, Texas.
In November 1992 Summers began work
on the largest contiguous bronze monument in North America. A brain-child
of real-estate magnate Trammell Crow and commissioned by Dallas
Trees and Parks Foundation, the project contains three cowboys
on horseback and 40+ Longhorn steers, each piece being 130% life
size. Even today, there are about 30 additional steers to be installed.
The bronze trail drive covers four acres in downtown
Dallas and is located at the Dallas Convention Center. This project
was a break-through in that the artist designed both the sculptures
as well as the landscaping. It is internationally known and
the most photographed landmark in Dallas.
In 1996 Summers finished three 130%
life-size monuments of three prominent Dallas citizens including;
Trammell Crow, on display at the Anatol Hotel, and Tom Hughs, former
Director of the Dallas Summer Musicals, on display in Fair Park,
in Dallas, Texas.
He was
commissioned by Newmark Publishing in Louisville, Kentucky to
complete a series of Civil War paintings covering the “Peninsula
Campaign”, the lithographs of which quickly became sought
after by collectors.
In early 1999, Summers was commissioned
to sculpt a 150% life-size monumental portrait of American cattleman
John S. Chisum by the John Chisum Memorial Foundation in Roswell,
New Mexico. The monument contains a rider on horseback and one
Longhorn steer. It was installed adjacent to the Chaves County
Court House in Roswell on the 24th of March 2001.
After
completion of the John Chisum sculpture for Roswell, the neighboring
city of Artesia asked Summers to sculpt a twice life sized Portrait
John’s niece Sally Chisum. Dedicated
on the 26th of July 2001, the eleven foot tall sculpture of Sally
stands as she reads to two children, as a welcomed addition to
Artesia’s
Main Street Project.
Soon
after the installment of “Sally”,
Artesia again called upon Robert’s talent to represent Mary
and Martin Yates, founders of Yates Petroleum. This 125% monument
is currently installed and awaits the arrival (completion) of their
partner “Van
Welch” also in 125% scale, which was subsequently commissioned
to be an addition to the composition. |
