Ben Russell (b. 1986)
Ben is a sculptor living in Dorset. He trained in Applied Architectural Stonework and Conservation at Weymouth College, Dorset, before specialising in Historic Architectural Carving at the City & Guilds of London Art School. After graduating, he worked with restoration, conservation, masonry and carving companies throughout London, and his work can be found upon such monuments and sites, including Highgate Cemetery, the Houses of Parliament, the Albert Memorial and St George's Chapel, Windsor. He was awarded a Duke of Gloucester Award in 2013 for his contribution to stone carving within the historic built environment. He has always created his own sculptural pieces, paying homage to the natural world, and continues to take on commissioned work. He offers stone carving courses to help future generations discover a love for working with stone and to help preserve this traditional skill. His work can be found in private collections across the UK, Europe, Hong Kong and the USA.
Ben creates works in stone using traditional skills learned during his time spent as an architectural stone carver and restorer. He takes pride in championing craftsmanship by creating objects which blur the lines between the traditional and the contemporary. His inspiration comes mainly from the wonder of our grown natural world, the consciousness connecting all living things, environmental issues and mental health. He finds all of these issues to be closely connected and enjoys using his voice as an artist to explore these relationships. He works in a semi-representational style around the theme of our grown environment and an interconnected consciousness between all living things. He works with limestone, onyx and marble and incorporates traditional carving techniques to create pieces that blur the lines between craftsmanship and contemporary. His work often features organic shapes like fungi, mycelium, and cacti, though he has lately found himself working in a more abstract context. Hand-tooled surfaces are central to his process, as he believes the timeless hammer and chisel remain the best tools for carving and finishing work, creating textures that bring light and shadow into dynamic play.
