20th June
In the last of four short films describing thoughts and processes behind my sculpture Ascendant: The Elizabeth Landmark, I here talk about what inspires and influences my practice. Landscape and the natural world are at the heart of it.
Film by Crystlsd
Click HERE to see short film.

17th June
Commissioning briefs for large scale public works of art can be expansive and thought provoking: Ascendant has layers of social, material and historical context but here I describe how it references Queen Elizabeth II and The Commonwealth.
Film by Crystalsd
Click HERE to see short film

13th June
How a sculptor ends up making public art, involves months and sometimes years of conversations and thought, a whittling down of applicants and options until the right solution presents itself. Here I describe a little of the process behind Ascendant.
Film by Crystlsd
Click HERE to see short film

10th June
As the planning decision for my commission in Northumberland draws near, I'd like to share a few personal thoughts behind its design and choice of materials. It took weeks for the seed of an idea to germinate in to the final form - Ascendant: The Elizabeth Landmark.
Film by Crystlsd
Click HERE to see short film.

12th March

Yesterday was challenging yet rewarding: I spent it with two colleagues at the RWA in Bristol, slowing woking out how best to structure a cohesive sculpture exhibition from the 80-90 sculptures that we had selected a number of weeks before, for the RWA Sculpture Open.

Challenging because when I arrived in the morning, the galleries looked as per the image above - an almost chaotic placement of sculpture which had been delivered by the artists over the previous two days. Having a vision for how best to 'hang' the work was the starting point, followed by a lot of moving pieces around the galleries again, and again, until at the end of the day there seems to be the framework of a cohesive looking exhibition. Today I couldn't be there to continue the work of hanging and placing, so I'm keen to se how it all looks at the private view this Friday evening.

Rewarding because its a total privilege to see so many sculptures one room, with so much artistic energy, craft and ideas galvanised into creative explorations of the three dimensional. I believe we have coordinated a good-looking show where sculptures talk to each other from across the room, or open up avenues for discussion because of how they are juxtaposed next to a different artists work.

Running on conjunction to the Sculpture Open is an exhibition of Gaudier-Brzeska's work, and a solo show by Ana Maria Pacheco.

Tuesday-Saturday: 10-5.30pm
Sunday: 11-5pm
Monday: Closed

RWA Bristol
Queen's Road,Clifton
Bristol,BS8 1PX
T: 0117 973 5129

30st January

Yesterday I gave a public talk about my art and ideas which rewarded me with unexpected connections between my studio practice, public commissions and fascinations around landscape. Having worked flat out for the past few months on a huge planning application for my large commission in Northumberland - Ascendant - the preparation and delivery of this talk was perfect timing, to re-examine my practice and concentrate on what is important.

Being an artist is a wonderful journey through life: being able to create my own future and have the privilege of time to spend working out what matters, then adding to that by creating new thoughts and realities. Last nights talk was easily worth all the hours and effort spent drafting it up. Here's to speaking out loud and having the courage to say it now!

24th January

Today, after months of in-depth research, calculations and drawings, the Elizabeth Landmark, a.k.a. Ascendant, planning application was submitted. It feels like a milestone, because there have been a wonderful team of dedicated consultants working flat out on such subjects as archaeology, ecology, landscape, topography, transport, engineering etc. all pulling together to make a water-tight planning application.

Its been a joy to work with them all, particularly the landscape architects Southern Green who have made beautiful drawings from my hand drawn sketches, and working with a 3D model and topographical survey, in order to give a better understanding of how the sculpture will finally sit within the beautiful landscape of Northumberland.

Below, one such wire frame drawing which animates a landscape photograph, and location map. One of dozens of drawings.

7th October

I will be showing two new sculptures in the RWA 166th Annual Open Exhibition.
Continuing my theme of rock and body, mountain and flesh, transient and permanent, these three sculpture will be show for the first time at the RWA.

Exhibition runs:
7th October - 25th November
Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5.30 pm
Sunday 11am-5pm

Royal West of England Academy
Queen's Road
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 1PX
T: 01179735129
[[rwa.org.uk]]

31st August

The news that my design for the Elizabeth Landmark has won the commission, has been kicking up some excitement in the press. Here's a couple for starters...
Please click on the bold link to read.

Artnet news

Newcastle Chronicle