Martin Turner
'At the Sign of the Parrot'
Private commissions in this country and abroad form the major part of my work, including those commissioned and exhibited by the Irving Lipton Collection in California, USA. In Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, I have a sculpture commemorating the soldiers who died at the battle of the Somme in the First World War. Work can also be seen in other churches in the West and Southwest of England. I was asked to design and produce the trophy for the National Woodworker of the Year competition. My largest work was commissioned to commemorate the heroism of the fire-fighters who died carrying out their duty at Ground Zero. I have also carried out work for several great houses. I was responsible for the Pugin style carvings in the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg’s residence in the House of Lords; the 18th century style panelling and Corinthian capitals at the Rothschild’s house near Aylesbury; and the 18th century carved work at the Earl of Leicester’s home Holkham Hall at Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. I am a great admirer of the Italian and German renaissance sculptors in wood and marble. I run courses in carving and sculpture to pass on to others my enthusiasm for wood as an artistic medium. Students have come from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and Ireland in addition to those from the UK. I have enjoyed working with young people, some with learning difficulties, and people with other special needs. I have also lectured on Tilman Riemenschneider and the woodcarvers of the German Renaissance to sixth form students studying History of Art at A Level and students planning to go on to Art College. I have also taught Maritime Woodcarving at Weymouth College. I was also asked to judge the National Woodcarving Competition, The Jersey Eisteddfod, and public art competitions in wood and other media.
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: martinturner-woodcarver.com