Introduction
The majority of my work is done to commission, whether from architects, cathedrals and churches, public art agencies, local authorities or private clients. The medium will depend upon what will be appropriate for a particular piece of work. To date, work has been made in stone; wood; marble; slate; bronze; aluminium; glass; GRP; plaster; stainless steel and wrought iron. Whichever medium is used, my approach is to seek to make something expressly having the character of a wrought thing. Depending upon the specific commission, I try to develop the aesthetic implications of this approach.
How can the form and physical realisation of a piece of lettering be true to itself as something wrought? How can figurative work, even that required to be illustrative, draw upon the expressive qualities inherent in a given medium, such that the more abstract and material aspects of a piece can be developed? I try to make work that, as far as may suit a particular context and client, may become as it were, incarnated in the means of expression; become in a sense, a concrete thing.
Especially welcome would be further opportunities to work collaboratively with architects on integral text, abstract detail or figuration, for bold contemporary crafted buildings. However, all commissions large and small, public and private, are welcome!
Biography
I have been self-employed as a designer-maker since 1994. Prior to this I worked for twelve and a half years (the latter half of this time as principal assistant) for Dick Reid in York. The move into self-employment came with the desire to design and make contemporary work with the understanding gained of working with traditional material.
Contact details
Work tel: 07970 439162
Website: http://www.axisweb.org/artist/charlesgurrey
Send this member an email
Image Gallery
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Title: Christ at the Transfiguration
Dimensions: 9.5 feet tall
Media: Clipsham stone
Description: Central over-door figure for the West Front of Guildford cathedral
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Title: Alcuin
Dimensions: 8 foot high
Media: Cadeby limestone
Description: Figure in relief for York Minster Library extension.
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Title: Drawing Room chimneypiece for Arthington Park
Media: Limewood and tulipwood
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Title: Four seasons urn for Arthington Park
Media: Woodkirk sandstone
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Title: Text Roundel
Dimensions: 1.5 metres diameter
Media: Caithness stone with cast bronze lettering
Description: Commissioned text from Gillian Clarke, National poet for Wales, worked as raised bronze text for siting at Civic Offices, Vale of Glamorgan council, Barry.
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Title: Soffit Roundel
Dimensions: 1m diameter
Media: Mahogany
Description: Portico soffit roundel, Belle Isle, Windermere.
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Title: Corpus
Dimensions: 320mm high
Media: Aluminium
Description: Pulpit Crucifix,St Olave's Church, York.
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Title: Crucifix
Dimensions: 1.3m high
Media: Polychromed oak
Description: Tree of Life Crucufix for Hackney Free School.
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Title: VC Memorial
Dimensions: 2.6m high
Media: Caithness stone
Description: Public memorial for Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells. Text from especially commissioned poem by then Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion.
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Title: Font
Dimensions: 1m high
Media: Sycamore and bronze
Description: Nave font; York Minster.
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Title: Guildford Cathedral figurework
Dimensions: various heights up to 2.8 metres high
Media: Clipsham limestone
Description: North and Central bays of Cathedral West front
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Title: Guildford Cathedral West Front
Dimensions: various heights
Media: Clipsham limestone
Description: South bay of West Front of Cathedral.
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Title: Julian of Norwich
Dimensions: 2.4m high
Media: Clipsham limestone
Description: Buttress figure for Guildford Cathedral
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Title: St Bernard of Clairvaux
Dimensions: 2.4m high
Media: Clipsham limestone
Description: Buttress figure for Guildford Cathedral
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Title: In Sun
Dimensions: 600mm cube
Media: Moelfre limestone
Description: Textwork for exhibition at The New Art Centre, Roche Court. Text supplied by the poet, Josephine Dickinson.
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Title: Heraldic Ledger
Dimensions: 2m long
Media: Branshaw sandstone
Description: Ledger memorial for family burial plot at Heslington, York.
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Title: Choir Screen Figures
Dimensions: 920mm high
Media: Lepine limestone
Description: Figures of St Ethelburga and Bishop Eborius for York Minster
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Title: Paschal Candlestand
Dimensions: 2.1m high
Media: Oak and wrought iron
Description: Paschal and advent candlestand for St Peter's, Limpsfield.
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Title: Nativity Figures
Dimensions: 500mm high
Media: Polychromed oak
Description: Figures for St Mary the Virgin, Nunthorpe in Cleveland, Middlesbrough.
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Title: Memorial
Dimensions: 1220mm high
Media: Branshaw sandstone
Description: Memorial; Poppleton, York
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Title: Commemorative Plaque
Dimensions: 1.6m high
Media: Welsh slate
Description: St Mary the Virgin, Nunthorpe in Cleveland
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Title: St Giles
Dimensions: 1.4m high
Media: Polychromed oak and fired, painted glass
Description: St Giles, Matlock
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Title: Stone Memory
Dimensions: 1.3m high
Media: Lincoln Silverbed limestone
Description: Exhibited at West Dean College, Sussex. On permanent show at Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire.

