The final nudge towards the aesthetic world came during a few drinks at a neighbour’s house. They were getting their garden remodelled and pondering some sculpture/artwork to compliment the new landscaping. With a significant amount of ‘Dutch Courage’ inside me, I announced that I would make them something both fabulous and unique.
Needless to say, I concocted an eyesore of such mis-proportioned ugliness that most who saw it turned either to religion or drink. Or both. My neighbours, somewhat suspiciously, ran out of budget for a sculpture but will definitely call me when they win the lottery.
Legged Fish by Nick Baker
Bird Olly by Nick Baker
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My artistic spark had been struck and whilst there’s still a lot of smoke and coughing, there’s also a little fire burning underneath. I found a renewed energy in not being constrained by practical functionality.
A sculptor doesn’t HAVE to build anything, one just builds what you WANT to. What a revelation! It’s not exactly a guaranteed path to wealth and riches but it’s a damned sight more satisfying than heaving a toilet up some scaffolding.
A chance conversation lead me to the Savill Garden exhibition in 2016 and I joined SSS a few weeks later. I’m tempted to say that the rest “is history” but I prefer to think that it “will be history”, in the future.
See you there.