Mark Stonestreet
Artist Statement
Having discovered stone as a medium for my work, I have yet to find another that compares. I am passionately drawn to its solidity and majesty and I revel in the length and intensity of the processes involved.
I continue to learn about different types of stone and their idiosyncrasies and to develop my creative language in the medium. I have travelled as far afield as India on this learning process - and although they are not always apparent in each work, these journeys are subtly hinted at in each finished sculpture.
Primarily a direct carver, I see the process as a conversation between myself and the stone - the inspiration for this relationship being a chosen line or a form suggested within the medium. Recently my work has focused on the human figure. Getting to this point has been a gradual journey but it has taken me full circle to return to one of my initial artistic focuses - life studies.
Within my work I hope to achieve the fine balance between the figurative and the abstract, utilising line and form in order to exaggerate and emphasise. This will continue to be the basis for my drawing and sculpture.
In the near future I intend to travel to various global centres of stone working to further develop my skills and knowledge in this intoxicating medium
1989 Cyprus college of art
1990 Creative eye slide illustration, London
1991 Hastings college of art and technology
1992 Commission for Corrugated Board Industry Trade Association
1992 Stone sculpture commission, private collection, 'Indulgence'
1992 Sculpture commission for Corrugated Board Industry Trade Association
1993 Northumbria Polytechnic, Newcastle upon tyne
1994 Illustration for BFPA, British Fiberboard Packaging Association
1995 'City Works' group exhibition, South shields, Northumbria
1997 'Abstract Forms', solo exhibition, Dury Lane, London
1999 'Global Arts', internet arts auctions, promotions
2001 Teaching Amble school, Amble, Northumbria. Artist in residence, basic sculpture (breeze block carving).
2001 Amble school, life drawing classes
2002 Msys.biz, web design company
2005 Creative sculptures, victoria's way, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu South India, Granite carving
2006 Art studio, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, South India
2007 'Variations 07' group exhibition Chennai, India
2007 Teaching introduction course in soft stone carving for Dutch teenagers undergoing corrective social traning (Dan jo Jawk, The Hauge, Holland)
2008 'Variations 08' group exhibition Patna, India
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