Ben Russell

Having originally trained in Applied Architectural Stonework and Conservation at Weymouth College in Dorset Ben went on to continue his training in Historic/Architectural Stone Carving at City and Guilds of London Art School. Subsequently he worked on buildings and monuments, Highgate Cemetery, Kew Palace, the Tower of London, the National Portrait Gallery, the Albert Memorial, the Houses of Parliament and other places. Commissions during this period included a grotesque for St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, two large relief carvings for County Hall, London, and a commemorative plaque for Goodenough College, unveiled by The Queen. He received a number of awards whilst training and a Duke of Gloucester award for his carving work within the industry in 2013.

“I encourage the viewer to question our place on the planet and evoke a realisation that we must respect nature in order to survive as a species. It feels ever more important to me to reconnect with the forms that enthralled me growing up. By creating these sculptures I feel closer to nature and myself and hope to awaken this feeling in others.”

Photo credit: Russell Sach