Biography:
My work has progressed through a number of naturally evolved phases throughout my career. At the outset I was heavily influenced by abstract sculpture particularly the work of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Henri Gaudier-Brezka and Constantin Brancusi.
After a time i began to realise that, to my eyes, abstract sculpture was cold and that what really fascinated me was people and warm emotions. This lead to my work assuming a more figurative poise, articulating human forms in a more realistic manner.
However I found producing purely figurative work an unsatisfactory process. I am now trying to find a balance between simple form and strong human themes.
In recent years I have made a series of female forms, 'timeless, universal women', who are the same all over the world, from 'touch the earth' societies to modern urban women. Much of the influence for these themes comes from my childhood; my mothers sayings and the realisation that women's lives and roles can change very quickly, particularly across generations, and that skills and lifestyles are fast forgotten.
Perhaps the most significant influence on my work is the material itself. Stone's weight and solidity lends itself to quiet and meditative subjects with an inner life. I get a sense that I have gone back to my roots with my work as my fathers ancestors were farmers and quarry men in Pommerania, Germany (an area of modern day Poland).
Timeline:
1949 ... born in Henstedt, Schleswig Holstein, Germany
1972 - 75 ... studied Art and Art Education at Paedagogische Hochschule, Weingarten
1975 ... moved to Surrey, England, whilst working as an Art teacher began to sculpt part-time
1985 ... took up sculpting full-time
1993 ... moved to Corfe Castle, Dorset after marrying a local man
1999 ... Winner of the Silver medal at Millfield School Summer Exhibition
2002 ... Winner of the Poundbury Childrens Cemetary Commission
Work in Private collections in: Britain, Germany, USA, New Zealand