Biography
I was born in Liverpool in 1960. I studied Botany and Zoology at Newcastle University before graduating in Fine Art from Bretton Hall College in 1994.
Since then my interests and career have spanned the arts and sciences. Funded by the British Academy I went on to complete an MSc in the History and Philosophy of Science at Imperial College.
I have lectured for a number of years at Imperial and at University College London while researching a PhD in the history of scientific photography. Subjects I have taught include the History of Technology, Ethics in Science and Technology and the Philosophy of Science.
As well as making numerous presentations of my own research I have written articles for the British Journal for the History of Science and the Journal of the Landscape and Arts Network.
My first large commission was to design a major installation for the London Barbican’s hugely successful interactive Shakespeare exhibition ‘How to be Bottom’.
Since 2001 I have been engaged on a series of commissions for large-scale environmental and public art. Central to many projects has been the involvement of school and community groups where children and adults of all abilities can contribute their own designs as well as learning woodcarving and other skills.
The work itself frequently owes its form to close observation of the natural world – in particular of microscopic forms, unseen processes and life cycles.
Dugout Boats
I have been involved in the construction of five dugout boats. The first of these, the eleven metre long ‘Messenger’, was the outcome of a community arts project for Lee Valley Park. It competed in the Thames River Race in 2002 and featured at the London Boat Show.
The second was a 7.5 metre replica of a Bronze Age vessel from Lincolnshire. It was produced for National Geographic’s documentary ‘Secrets of Stonehenge’ in their Naked Science series. It was also seen in the BBC’s The Trees that Made Britain.
The third, at 4.5 metres, is a replica of an ancient boat from Ellesmere in Shropshire which can be found in the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.
The working replica has been shown across the country as an educational exhibit and has made a number of TV appearances – notably ‘Stone-age Atlantis’ for National Geographic, a Time Team special – ‘Britain’s Stone Age Tsunami’ and the One Show.
The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery and Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
The third was built during a residency on the Dee Estuary to celebrate local boat building traditions and to celebrate the completion of the Wales Coastal Path. It was launched on the Dee. The project was co-funded by the Arts Council of Wales.
The fourth was commissioned by The Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust. It was made with the help of the Whithorn ReBuild team of apprentices at Whithorn over three weeks and successfully launched at the Isle of Whithorn.
The 4.5 metre ‘Ellesmere’ boat is available for events both on and off the water and offers a unique opportunity for a hands-on historical experience. If you are interested, please contact me.
Private Commissions
I will undertake private commissions. I am happy to make site visits to give advice and also to consider the use of locally available materials where appropriate.
For example, you might have a tree about to be felled that could be worked on site to create a sculpture without incurring the cost of sourcing and delivering materials.
Items for sale
There are sometimes items for sale. Many are made from durable woods, typically oak and yew, so they may be sited outdoors if required.
Items made from less durable woods can be treated or sited in less exposed situations. All materials are from sustainable sources.
Studio:
I have established a studio at my home in a spectacular mountain location in North Wales with my partner the painter and printmaker Lyn Hodnett. Here we run creative workshops and run our studio practices.
