FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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How does commissioning a sculpture usually start?
It starts with a conversation about the site, the people who use it, and what the work needs to hold. From there comes a concept sketch or a small maquette so you can see the idea before anything is carved. Nothing is committed until the direction feels right for the place.
How long does a commissioned piece take?
Most works run from a few months to the better part of a year, depending on scale, materials, and consent or engineering sign-off for a public site. Carving stone and casting or cutting metal cannot be rushed without it showing. A clear timeline is agreed at the concept stage so everyone knows the milestones.
What materials do you work in?
Stone and metal are the core, often together in a single work. Stone is carved for weight and permanence, while metal is cut or formed for line and detail. The material is chosen for the site and how the piece will weather over decades outdoors.
Can a work be made for a public or shared space?
Yes, and public sites are a large part of the practice. Public work brings extra steps such as engineering, safety, and council or landowner approval, all of which are planned in early. The aim is a piece that is safe, durable, and genuinely belongs to the place.
Do you take on private commissions as well?
Private gardens, entrances, and memorial works are all welcome. The process is the same at heart: understand the site, agree a concept, then make. Scale and budget simply shift to suit a home rather than a public plaza.
How is a design tied to its site?
Site-specific means the form answers the place rather than being dropped onto it. That can be the way light moves across a surface, the paths people take, or a pattern that carries local meaning. The work reads as if it grew where it stands.
How do you handle installation?
Installation is planned from the first sketch, not left to the end. Foundations, lifting, and access are worked out with engineers and installers so the day itself is straightforward. For heavy stone this planning is what keeps a site safe.
What care does a finished work need?
Well made stone and metal work needs very little, which is part of the point. An occasional clean and a check of fixings is usually enough for an outdoor piece. Any specific care for a material or finish is explained on handover.