In mid-2019 he took an opportunity to leave a corporate role of 24 years.

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The pandemic allowed him to adjust to a solitary life in the studio, conscious in thought and with ample time he was able to practice, refine his skills and develop the confidence to bring his ideas forth.

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​2020 with the re-opening of borders he travelled to Italy where he refined and extended his abilities working in a studio in Pietrasanta. This gave him much needed confidence, to produce work which was his own, developing ideas into sketches through to finished works. ​He continues to travel Europe on a regular and frequent basis, learning new techniques, meeting new artists, sourcing stone for his work and exploring the myriad of modernist architectural wonders that it has to offer

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​Johnny has an enduring interest in architecture but “I’m academically challenged” so that career path wasn’t an option. Now fully fulfilled in sculpture, he draws on the richness of architecture, a passionate advocate of Modernism he incorporates these traits within his work  ​“these [mid-century] buildings occupy space so defiantly, at odds with landscape and man, asymmetrical lines and plains, bold surfaces which end abruptly, edges forming dramatic shadows, these are all elements which I reflect in my own humble way … “sometimes I reflect, are my sculptures unconscious designs for structures/machines”

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​Inspiration for his work comes from mythology but also the future, an anxious, dark dystopian future

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​He works mainly in stone, enjoying the continuity of the material, the sense of permanence but more importantly the rhythm of the act of carving. He uses the stone as a means to an end

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​Carving is peaceful, meditative, slow, its full of solitude which gives time for reflection, it’s work that’s best done outdoors, albeit sometimes constrained by the Yorkshire elements”.

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​​He also works in plywood. This allows for a looser, quicker, creative process, it can be moulded and shaped but still has a uniformity which he likes. Colour can be applied, so often its quite a useful contrast from working in the natural/neutral tones of stone. Often, he’ll try and realise an early idea in plywood before committing to a later variation in stone… “I never work direct from a maquette. I always prefer direct carving. Its feels more honest”

 

​​When not working in 3d he works in pen, ink, collage combined with found objects and printing.  

 

​​Johnny’s new to exhibiting so it’s early days. His current focus is on building a body of work for future exhibitions​​

 

He is a former student of the Leeds School of Art and Marcia Bennett-Male RSS

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His work has been exhibited at

• Onform. Asthall Manor, Burford

• The Sculpture Gallery, Leeds

• Newby Hall, Ripon

• The Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate

• Blake Exhibition, Leeds Central Square – with thanks to CBRE

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 Johnnysunter@outlook.com or +44 7414 144 140