Artist’s Statement

Like a fisherman with a rod I patiently wait for a ‘bite’. This may take weeks; exploring the context of the subject and then sketching or painting and even making a Marquette out of clay or plaster. But there must be a bite in order to engage me emotionally throughout the weeks of carving.

For inspiration I use my life story, my philosophy and my politics. I try to avoid making statements or, indeed, letting my left brain dominate. The sculpture, caught in one moment, generally has aspects of vulnerability and fragility. Stone, especially, lends itself to this expression.

From years of working with vulnerable children the main theme of Attachment and Separation colours my work. It’s not difficult to see how this theme plays out politically in the world where these figures live. I want to explore what unifies all of life and, in particular, the human species.

My work is essentially figurative perhaps stemming from the many years exploring the inner worlds of the characters I played as an actor. Now and again, I’ll play with the Abstract which seems to automatically engage my Right ‘feeling’ brain. I try to avoid working in concepts alone. Figurative work, in my opinion, doesn’t belong to the ‘outdated past of the early 20thCentury’. I resist the constant call to ‘expand the boundaries of sculpture’. I see that as a preoccupation with Form and not so much with Content. It is true; I am mostly influenced by the Figurative sculptors of the 20th Century and earlier: Augusta Savage, Giacometti, Epstein, Gill, Gormley, Brancusi, Camille Claudel and Henri Gaudier Brzeska and many others. I enjoy looking at the work of contemporary sculptors and painters.

It is a crucial time of Conflict and cruelty in the world. It is essential that I as an artist, speak up for the oppressed. Compassion and empathy are hallmarks of my Jewish ancestry and standing up against Settler Colonialism, the harshest form of Imperialism, are part of my Irish ancestry.

We need the help of our ancestors more than ever. I have weaved three major strands into my working life: acting, working with children with emotional needs and, for the past 30 years, carving stone and wood. My Swan Song as an actor was in 2014 playing Malvolio on Broadway, NY. Since then, carving has fully taken over. But maybe the strands have influenced each other. My sculptures have explored Attachment and Separation, Fragility and Vulnerability. And they all seem to seek a stage where they can act out their stories and touch on an inner life.