Sculpture In Stone
Designers are always looking for interesting items to finish off a project and
make it unique. Sculptural items are perfect for focal points or more subtle decoration
but can often be extremely expensive. Unfortunately all too often when the end of
the build arrives, the budget for such items has been swallowed up by other parts
of the project. However, Tom Clark is a stone carver who caters for all pockets,
not only creating large figures and statues with a price tag to match but at the
same time producing casts of his most popular carvings for the smaller purse.
His career began as a monumental mason in 1974 moving on to serve an apprenticeship
as an Ecclesiastical mason at Chichester Cathedral. Over the years Tom has worked
on many large and interesting restoration projects including St George’s Chapel
in Windsor, Westminster Abbey, The National Gallery, The Public Records Office in
London and Ely Cathedral. In the early 1990s his focus moved to the development
of his own sculptural pieces, partly inspired by his love of medieval art. Time
spent in India and Egypt absorbing the architecture, landscape, art, history, people
and culture also left a strong mark that is often very apparent in his pieces.
Working mainly with Portland stone which ages beautifully and looks great in both
formal or country settings, Tom’s sculptures for garden and patio range from classical
images of lions and elephants to architectural columns and figures, from contemporary
female forms to interpretative designs for birdbaths and fountains. One of his simplest
yet most effective forms is a bowl carved from solid stone. This can be finished
either with jagged edges or rubbed smooth sometimes revealing the natural quartz
crystals within. The bowls are suitable for placing outdoors and one can be found
in the palace gardens of an Arabian princess. Tom also works with other limestones,
Cotswold stone and Bath stone and the scale of works can vary from 25 cm to over
two metres in height.
Original designs sell to private and corporate clients worldwide and through a number
of galleries in London, Somerset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Tom is very comfortable
working on bespoke commissions with designers and clients and has a team on hand
to help deliver an end result on time and to budget. He also produces limited edition
(250) replicas of his work, individually limestone-cast from original carvings plus
a range of high-quality, extremely-durable wall plaques.
Not only does Tom enjoy the creative process for himself but he is keen for others
to share in this enthusiasm and regularly runs stone carving courses both at his
studio (located in a 16th century Hamstone House at Hurst Barton near Martock, Somerset)
and at various locations across the country including a series of relief carving
courses at the V&A, London. Age is no barrier to this learning process and Tom
has found some of the most rewarding experiences have come from working with local
school children who have enjoyed being involved in the process and seeing the finished
sculptures emerge from the raw materials. A selection of Tom’s sculpture, carvings
and casts are on permanent display at his studio which also houses a select number
of exhibitions throughout the year.
New in 2009 is a series of casts starting from as little as £10. These are based
on some of his most popular stone carvings as well as various new ideas not seen
before. You can find full details of Tom’s work, Open Days, Workshops etc at
www.tomclarkstonecarver.co.uk.
New For 2010
The 2010 stonecarving workshop programme will include for the first time a 4-day
course to be held: June 7th - 10th.
Based on the existing 2-day programme, this short course will also include off-site
study trips to local places of interest. The course fee of £350 per person will
include all materials, tuition, home-made lunches, entry fees and an evening meal
on the last day.
The stonecarving workshops cater for all ages and abilities. Places are limited
to a maximum of 8 per course and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tom Clark – 2010 Stonecarving Weekend Workshop Dates:
|
March
|
6th & 7th
|
|
March
|
27th & 28th
|
|
April
|
24th & 25th
|
|
June
|
19th & 20th
|
|
July
|
10th & 11th
|
|
September
|
18th & 19th
|
|
October
|
16th & 17th
|
|
November
|
13th & 14th
|
Come and enjoy a unique creative experience in the heart of rural Somerset. Working
at Tom Clark’s 16th century hamstone home and workshops, you will have one-to-one
tuition and the opportunity to go home with a finished stonecarving.
Venue
Tom Clark’s Hurst Barton Workshops, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6JU
For more information:
Please call Tom on 01935 822833 or visit the website www.tomclarkstonecarver.co.uk
© Sharon
Brown 2nd February 2010