SALLY RICHARDSON

“I have been carving wood and stone sculptures for 30 years. In my sculpture practice I explore my deep-rooted connection to maritime environments carving human and plant-like forms that evoke the fluidity of the sea.

The sea shaped the rhythm of daily life in the small, fishing village in East Anglia, England, where I grew up. The maritime folklore of the region and the coastal landscape captured my imagination. Both my father and grandfather worked aboard lighthouse ships in the North Sea and many relatives were fishermen. A childhood spent roaming the mysterious marshes and the shipbuilder's yard helped shape my strong connection to the sea and its traditions.

I carve in wood and stone using only hand tools (mallets, chisels and rasps) and the materials I use are Limestone, Carrara Marble, local wood (Mountain Laurel, Cherry and Walnut) and Totara (New Zealand native wood). I approach each piece of wood and block of stone respectful of its character and uniqueness, and during the subtractive carving process imagine an inner life emerging from within.

For the past 20 years I have lived and worked in Montauk, drawn to a familiar coastal history and a landscape that continues to inspire.”