Rocky Knapp Workshop 1984

John Davey was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1961.

As a Stone Sculptor John,s creative past goes back to when he was a youngster,  always drawing, painting and making things. Progressing from Lego to Mecano. The only limitations, his imagination! Winning a Trophy, 1st Prize in Art at the St Johns Youth Club when he was ten. Which even now takes pride of place on his fireplaces lintel!

Studies

His academic studies began in 1979 in Bournemouth, Dorset, where he completed a year’s course in the Foundation of Art and Design. After receiving his Diploma he was accepted by Brighton Polytechnic to study “3-Dimensional Design”. Where he specialised in Wood & Ceramics.

Experience

On completion of 3 years study at Brighton where he attained a BA (with Hons) degree. He then worked most noteworthy as an assistant to Phillip King and Pierre Vivant, at the Tout Portland Sculpture Park. Carving Portland Stone for the first time. As a result, John went on to work in a French Stone Quarry owned by the Sculptor, Architect Armand Pellier. Consequently perfecting his stone carving skills and was employed as a stonemason, carver. This enabled him to be at ease with the techniques and as a result able to translate his ideas into reality.

Carving a 18th Century Cornice in the Quarry

Workshops

As furtherance to his career, John undertook the setting up of workshops to teach carving techniques, to adults and children, in France and England. Most noteworthy, the Common Ground Project, which was based in Dorset and was sponsored by Henry Moore and Calouste Gulbenkein Foundations.  In addition to this, he worked extensively, creating workshops for the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In an annual cultural festival based around the Pont du Gard.  (A Roman aqueduct spanning the river Gardon).

The Roman Aqueduct. ” La Pont du Gard”

He now lives in Dorset, continuing to make his handcrafted sculptures and paintings using natural materials. Above all finding inspiration in the local seascapes, landscapes and previous memories.

His artwork is in private collections in France, England and America.