I make large scale sculpture for external environments. By the nature of the material I use, the sculpture is organic, tactile, visually exciting and invites interaction. I am interested in process, physical form and interacting with space. These processes and the engineering involved in fabricating large sculpture effect the work and create a new aesthetic within it.
I make all of my own work by hand using a mix of traditional and modern carving and joinery techniques. This enables me to be in total control of every aspect of my work, going with the natural changes as a piece evolves. I work almost exclusively in oak, selecting curved branches, forks and large boughs to suit each individual sculpture. The material is sustainable, durable, warming and versatile. I am as influenced by the figurative as I am the abstract and my work is sometimes humorous and surreal. I am driven by the sheer excitement of making sculpture and the desire to create beautiful things, as well as the reactions from my audience.
For further images of work under construction go to http://johncmerrill.blogspot.it/