Richard Searle Sculpture

Born into a family of artists and musicians I grew up surrounded by art. At school however I favoured the sciences and it was only after moving to Devon at 16 that I realised where my true vocation lay.

After studying at North Devon Collage I worked for several years as an assistant to the sculptor Peter Newel where I learned the skills of carving, modelling and casting, finally finding stone carving my preferred medium.

My love of nature and interest in alternative living led me in 1996 to the anti road protest at Fairmile in Devon and afterwards to other environmental protests in Somerset, London, Birmingham and Derbyshire. After this a return to a "housebound" life was unthinkable but I was luck enough to be able to join a group of like-minded friends living in a variety of low impact dwellings in a wood in Somerset.

While I was living in the woods I worked for a while in a small bronze foundry producing sculptures for Michael Story. In my spare time I was able to set up a little workshop under the trees, and using pieces of reclaimed stone and home-made tools I was able to start carving.

My aim is to make sculptures that both compliment and contrast when placed in a natural setting.

I am presently living and working in Bristol, having lost my woodland home, but the countryside is just a short cycle / motorcycle ride away so natural forms continue to influence my work.

The current 'Flame' and 'Twist' series shown are carved from Bath stone (oolitic limestone) which will weather naturally if placed outdoors, and are supplied with reclaimed oak bases for indoor display.