Community
I have been involved in community public art within various contexts, as my passion lies in creating tactile and accessible art for communities to enjoy. Local residents' involvement in the process is central to enhancing pride and connection among community members, thereby improving social cohesion and placemaking efforts. Not only have I been involved in public art projects throughout Scotland, but I've participated in symposiums in Lithuania, Czech Republic, and New York.
Memorial sculpture for Dr Graham
I was asked by staff at the Health Centre in Tain to design and sculpt a memorial for the much respected Dr Peter Graham to be installed in the grounds of the Centre. The leaf represents the cycle of life as it falls from the tree, becomes part of the earth and ultimately nourishes again. Glass raindrops capture the light with the largest one containing a note with thoughts from Dr Graham's family, friends and colleagues. This was carved from 2.5 tonnes of Tokovsky granite and then polished.
Prospect and Trust
I held workshops with young people from Larkfield, Greenock to help come up with the concept for this sculpture. This was a very emotional experience and resulted in the idea for 'Prospect & Trust'. In years gone by Greenock had a thriving, world famous ship building industry that empowered young people with opportunities through apprenticeships. With the demise of this industry those 'Prospects' were gone and along with that any 'Trust' in the future. The sculpture carries those words on either side of the steel hulls - proudly forging forwards through the waves, whilst at the back are the decaying ribs of past industry. Carved in sandstone, green oak and 20mm steel plate the sculpture is 14 metres long and 4 metres in height.
Pebble Mosaic
Milton Primary school pupils helped to come up with the concept for a new surround to be fitted around the centuries old Mercat Cross in the old part of Milton near Kildary in the Highlands.
Resilience
I produced this sculpture in the town of Vlasenice, Czech Republic during a symposium. Titled 'Resilience', the sculpture represents the strength of nature in overcoming hardships - it has the ability to carry aloft and displace man made structures. This was carved from Czech granite and stands 4m high.
