"My aim is to create kinetic artworks which respond to the natural environment, a successful piece for me, is one where movement helps access a stillness within"

I have always enjoyed art that moves. 20 years ago I fell in love with building rolling-ball sculptures after being inspired by a chance encounter. Since then I have set up a workshop and taught myself how to weld and fabricate with stainless steel solely for the purpose of making art.

I have been fortunate enough to get involved with several exciting projects and commissions in recent years, but collaborating with the team behind the silver gilt winning National Autistic Society garden at the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show was a highlight that ultimately resulted in a shift in direction. I had previously been attracted to experimenting with shapes that move and respond to the wind and light in a landscaped setting, and it was the Chelsea experience that encouraged me to take that 'leap of faith'.

To design pieces which revolve in light winds requires thinner material and new fabrication techniques, which have now been perfected, though I was able to transfer other skills learnt from building my previous machines. The stainless steel is tig welded and spot welded together, before being professionally 'pickled', passivated and electropolished to a very high standard. This not only ensures an excellent quality finish, but provides very strong protection from the elements for many years ahead.

During the initial stages of experimentation with wind-powered vanes and foils, I discovered meditation, and continue to practice daily. I found that watching the sculptures, practicing meditation, both invited me to tap into an absolute stillness. I love the paradox of finding this stillness within movement, and I am currently also experimenting with smaller scale indoor pieces that are USB powered, but with the same sentiment in mind.

As well as wind-powered, and rolling-ball sculpture, I sometimes build assemblage art - you will find examples of wind-powered sculpture in 'works', and everything else in 'Other works'