Came to the arts via award winning science degree, scholarship at Jerusalem Botanics, Scottish research institute, stone masonry scholarship, father’s studio, into the bosom of his close-knit extended family’s tradition. This is about 175 individuals, mostly artists: dancers, singers, architects, painters, illustrators, musicians, sculptors, guilders, carvers, cabinet makers (plus a few international sportsmen). It is a deep knowledge base few families can match. Ernest Gillick, Mary Gillick, Liam Gillick, James Gillick, Ambrose Gillick, Gordon Gillick & Victoria Gillick are some of many direct family artists. Three of them have represented Great Britain at the famous international Venice Biennale, more than any other family.
Clay
Working in two clays out of the famous Staffordshire deposits, ungrogged terra cotta, a wet rusty brown, and pure white porcelain clay designed by the potter Audrey Blackman.
Rubber, Plaster, Fibreglass
Mold making is all done in house. Unlike a painting which is finished when the artist wipes his varnish brushes on his apron, a sculpture descends from the artists hands through five processes to an outcome sometimes a long way from where it started. Controlling these stages means sleeping better. Starting with a faithful impression in rubber of the clay original is of the highest priority, so we do it.
Wax
An important part of the bronze casting process is the production of a wax replica of an original model. This artist incorporates wax from his own unique bee hives to make a product superior to anything used in a UK foundry. Here are a few of his 1 million girls working ivy, the source of the finest honey and the toughest, thickest wax.
Ceramic Shell
The wax replica of original modelling is encased in 6-8 layers of an astonishing and beautiful material - a slurry of clay and other mysteries impregnated with a rain shower of silica grain. It is the greatest development in bronze casting in its 5000 year history. Possibly second only to welding.
Metal
In our own foundry we cast and fabricate all components - sometimes as many as 15 - that are brought together into a single work. We pour, cut, assemble, finish and patinate at our place before they leave for your place.
Stone
A rare additional discipline among sculptors in clay. Stone is the zenith. It takes technique, endurance, certainty and passion, like most things worth doing.
