Originally a toolmaker from Cowes, Isle of Wight. I have lived in Margaret River since 2001. Since childhood, metal, engineering and fabrication have always fascinated me. I love its durability and the precision that can be achieved when working with it. Growing up in the seaport of Cowes, the old abandoned yachts that were scuttled in the Medina River were my playground. I used to collect any rusty bits of treasure, in awe of how long that it had been lost, how old it was and wondered what had it been used for.
My apprenticeship in mechanical engineering and toolmaking taught me how to create many of the ‘finds’ from childhood. My inspiration comes from the nautical heritage of Cowes and its proud sailing traditions in combination with precise bespoke fabrication and craftsmanship.
I first saw an Armillary dial in the Greenwich time museum in London . I was memorized, it encompassed all that I loved about engineering; precision, practicality and function. As soon as I returned to Margaret River I set about fabricating one. I found an ancient 2000-year-old astronomers formula and began to create a dial to the South West’s exact latitude. The Southern Hemisphere Armillary dial is an inspirational timepiece that reflects my nautical heritage in combination with a toolmaker's precision to create a modern working sculpture that captures precision, aesthetics, and functionality. I am also influenced by the work of UK artist and sculptor, Barbara Hepworth; her simplicity, visual affinity and connection to nature evoke the same timelessness that I found in the treasures from the scuttled old yachts of childhood. In contrast, I also admire the work of the Bauhaus artists from 1920’s Germany, again I am drawn to the simplicity and practicality of many of their pieces, especially those from the metal workshop. Their designs encompass excellence in craftsmanship, design and industrial production.
My own work reflects the connection between industry and engineering and how it contrasts with the natural beauty of the oceans and landscape. It is how we as a society have evolved and gives hope of how we can combine the two to coexist with more equilibrium.
Some of my pieces reflect timeless durability and practicality in combination with simplicity and function. They are intended to work with nature and become heirlooms that last a lifetime.