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During
my formative years I developed a great love for animals,
especially dogs; initially I began expressing this love
on canvas. In 1990, on a foundation course, I was to
discover the wonders of clay. In 1992 I began an HND
course specialising in animal modelling, during which
time I worked as a rhino keeper in Chester Zoo. This
inspirational experience allowed me to get involved
with a wide variety of animals and watch, touch and
study the nature of the animals intimately. I continued
my education in Cardiff where I earned a BA (Hons) Ceramics.
I now concentrate on both domestic and wild animals.
I
detail the mannerisms and character of animals through
sketches and photography with reference to, and research
from books, magazines and wildlife documentaries. I
enjoy exploring the day to day life of an animal, from
scratching, sniffing and stretching, to subtle courtships
and intimate gestures between mother
and child. When making an animal I first discover the
character of the animal, such as the pride and grace
in a giraffe, and try and emulate this through its stance,
movement and expression.
Some
of my animals are relatively unknown or highly endangered.
It is with these animals that I try and bridge the gap
in current public perception. I aim to enlighten people
to the beauty, humour and tenderness of those animals
that are largely seen or represented as purely aggressive,
dangerous or ugly. Above all, I hope that human kind
will feel the individuality if each animal and appreciate
its intrinsic beauty.
The
passion which powers my work has evolved from my awareness,
awe and wonder of the strangeness of the animal kingdom
and its complex survival structures and systems. I hope
my pieces will encourage understanding and compassion
from the human individual which in turn will result
in a deeper level of enjoyment, respect and admiration
for the beauty in the beast.
The
clay body I use is T material, the strongest clay type,
with paper pulp which gives a strong but light weight
result. Occasionally I use papier mache on delicate
extremities as it lends itself well to clay and has
the great advantage of being unbreakable.
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