Introduction
Shawn Williamson began his journey into sculpture as a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes and the eastern Seaboard of North America. It was there that he was taught how to carve soapstone in the Inuit (Eskimo) tradition.
After studying in Canada, he returned to his native Britain where his creative use of natural materials became apparent. He subsequently gained a Diploma in sculpture, lettering and heraldic carving and graduated with a degree in Art and Design.
Shawn completed his training under Josefina de Vasconcellos MBE Hon DLit (AWG member), who was a pupil of Antoine Bourdelle, in turn pupil and assistant to Rodin.
His sensitive use of stone soon earned him a reputation and before long he was creating innovative new work for public space and developing traditional craft techniques to work the more unusual stone found in Cumbria, particularly carboniferous limestone Shap granite and Kirk stone slate.
Shawn is best known for his large and dramatic sculpture, which often reflect the spiritual iconography of the British Isles. He continues to produce a prodigious amount of high quality thought-provoking work. With strong reference to our ancient past, his work is particularly significant as we enter the twenty-first century.
Shawn is currently sculptor to the Gorton Monastery Trust and the Clan Sinclair Trust (both with projects in the World Monuments Fun list). He is registered as a Heritage Information craftsmen/sculptor and works on contract to Manchester College of Art and Technology producing large stone sculpture for their numerous campuses.
Contact details
Website: http://www.lakestay.co.uk/shawnwilliamson
Send this member an email
Image Gallery
-
Title: Prince Henry Sinclair
Dimensions: 9 ft x 4 ft; weight 7 Tons
Media: Stantonmoor sandstone
Description: commissioned by Sinclair Trust; large imaginary sculpture of Prince Henry Sinclair with shield and sword looking towards the Orkneys in the north of Scotland from Nosshead Lighthouse near Wick; sculpted in expressionist style
-
Title: Mandilion
Dimensions: over-life size
Media: Cadeby limestone from Yorkshire
Description: commissioned by Workington Town Council for Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; over-life size lion head imbued with the characteristics of man; carved in a direct medieval style
-
Title: Emergence
Dimensions: commissioned by Manchester College of Art & Technology; single nude figure emerging from rock signi
Media: 11 ft x 6 ft; weight 16 Tons
Description: carboniferous limestone
-
Title: Portrait from the Holy Shroud of Turin
Dimensions: over-life size
Media: Portland stone on ebony granite
Description: working from 2D images, the challenge was to convey the same emotion in 3 dimensions through sculpture; sculpted in spiritual realist style
-
Title: 3D portrait of Holy Shroud of Turin
Dimensions: -
Media: Portland stone on ebony granite
Description: 3D portrait of Holy Shroud of Turin
-
Title: Herdwick Ram
Description: HRH The Prince of Wales unveiled this latest ten ton Herdwick Ram at Cockermouth in Cumbria.