My work has always been figurative. I am attracted by the fact that body language is universal, emotion conveyed through posture and expression is independent of culture and time. Human and animal subjects have a vigour and appeal which I find totally absent from the artificiality of conceptual art. The pieces can, and in my view should, work both on a purely aesthetic but also intellectual or emotional level.
Inspiration comes from many sources: pre-historic, ancient and classical sculptural styles, renaissance masters and the early 20th century rather than contemporary abstract and conceptual art. Recently I have begun to appreciate the skill and quality of gothic religious art and ancient low-relief work, particularly that of Persia.
I work mainly in terracotta. The immediacy and simplicity of the material lends itself to rapid execution and lively representation. It is also tremendously durable; the most ancient surviving sculpture is in terracotta. Where metal and stone have been re-used, and wood or bone have decayed, fired clay has survived. I like to feel that I am continuing an ancient tradition with a modern perspective.
The lively nature of clay makes it ideal for sketches and finished pieces but I also use it to create pieces which are finally resolved in another material. Some of my most recent low-relief work is in the form of wall mounted paper castings. I am also beginning to work in bronze.
