To this day, Galloway remains a place that I still call home, despite not having lived there for more than half of my life.
Wherever I am in the world, the smell of the sea air, or of wild garlic on a spring woodland walk, transports me instantly back to my childhood playground. I never resist the powerful feeling of nostalgia which reminds me of my roots - I’m happy to be transported ‘home’.
An upbringing spent outdoors, hard work on the farm from an early age, and playtime spent with my brothers and sisters - in an era when tree climbing, fort building and stealing apples were still fashionable, if not always welcome - have no doubt left an indelible mark on me which I hope has served me well.
Given the rugged landscape that surrounded me, sculpted by the relentless forces of nature, it’s hardly a surprise that stone was my first medium of choice.
My work, whether abstract or geometric, is inspired by the natural world. From simple organic forms such as pine cones, apples and pears or a flower bud, to nature’s building blocks in the form of the double helix, and to those forms inspired by the depths of space and time: it’s easy to be inspired.
Form is an important part of my work. Those which are uncomplicated are often the most satisfying: beautiful in their simplicity. Whether abstract or geometric, I’m drawn to clarity of line and to shapes that feel naturally resolved rather than overworked.
My approach changes with context and scale, but the intention remains consistent: to create sculptures which sit confidently yet with dignity in their surroundings, communicating with the environment rather than dominating it.
