​Contemporary South African Art

He never ran out of ideas. But just as artist Roy Leadbeater predicted would happen, one day, he ran out of time. The prolific Edmonton sculptor and painter died May 9 at the age of 89. Noted for his large works, such as Genesis, a sculpture in the Citadel Theatre’s indoor garden, and his more whimsical pieces, such as Aurora’s Dance, the 132-metre-long sculptural wall that graced 104 Street for many years, Leadbeater was remembered at his memorial service earlier this month as a loving father, and stepfather.

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But tributes from friends and family also emphasized that Leadbeater had many facets. Soft-spoken, dashing and gentlemanly, he had a penchant for sports cars, motorcycles and fashion, and was drawn to women who were strong and accomplished.

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Survived by his third wife, the elegant Evelyn Leadbeater, whom he married in 2006, Leadbeater was born in England in 1928. Under circumstances that were never fully understood, Roy and his brother were found, abandoned, in a London apartment when Roy was about eight. The two ended up in at Penkhull Children’s Home, which Roy later revealed as a surprisingly good place to grow up. He formed a close relationship with a house mother, Miss Jenny Wade, who watched over him with care until he was 14, when he went to work at a local hospital. He did connect with his grandmother at one point, who was a member of the famous Wedgewood pottery clan.

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https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/roy-leadbeater-local-sculptor-displayed-a-talent-for-the-art-of-life

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