Clitheroe Castle and Museum Art Commission

The writer David Lewis and myself have been commissioned to produce an art work as part of Clitheroe Castle and Museum refurbishment. The piece will recall the castle's well. We are both excited about the project and looking forward to working together.

Royal British Society of Sculptors

I'm delighted to say that I've just been accepted into the Royal British Society of Sculptors as an Associate member.

RHS Tatton Flower Show 2008

I have just had the opportunity of collaborating with Rachel Ramchurn to create a site specific installation at the RHS Tatton Flower Show. We were commissioned by Cheshire Year of Gardens 08 as part of the 'Something Beautiful' project. Thank you to everyone involved.

The project can be seen on http://cookandramchurn.blogspot.com

spikes, aloes and pods

Now the Little Moreton Hall commission is finished, I thought I'd put some of my 'back catalogue' on. For 'the unsafe garden' installation, I created three other works alongside the 'fans'.



'pod' was based on the banana flowers, which had produced bananas for the first time since the Palm House had reopened.






'aloe' was inspired by the aloe leaf and the way it unfolds with hooked edges interlocking. I created the sculpture to look as if it was balancing on a fine point hovering above the soil.


The 'spikes' were inspired by the palm 'dasylirion acrotrichum' with it's vicious sword-like leaves. They ran in a deep undulating line through the border around the Palm House. The 'spikes' gave the installation it's title.

'Something Beautiful'

It's finally finished!
We spent a clear cold yesterday painting, cleaning and securing.
All four pieces are now installed and ready for press day and then for the hall opening on 1st March for the 2008 season.










the 'cobble skirt'












'PYRUS' stones












sunlight through 'PYRUS' stone












backlit 'moat seat'










'moat seat'

the beech balls arrive at Little Moreton Hall

I spent yesterday installing the beech balls at Little Moreton Hall.

It was a beautiful crisp, clear, sunny day.

beech balls

I've spent the day photographing 'beech balls' for press images for the 'Something Beautiful' project at Little Moreton Hall. It's been a drizzly, dreak day.

The beech balls are one of four pieces made for the commission.