Paul Mason (sculptor)
Paul Mason was a British sculptor and artist working mainly in stone and marble. Winner of the Royal Academy Gold Medal in 1976, his work has been exhibited in the United Kingdom and Europe, including the Tate Gallery, St Ives and the Bauhaus Kunst-Archiv in Berlin.
Personal life and education
Paul William Mason was born on 23 June 1952 in Bolton, Lancashire. Mason first married Susan Disley, a ceramicist, with whom he had a son, Joseph. He later married a painter, Emma Talbot, to whom he was married at the time of his death. Together they had sons Zachary and Daniel. As of 2006, Emma was the Head of Painting and Two-Dimensional at St Martin's College, University of the Arts, London.Mason studied first at Bolton College of Art & Design from 1970 to 71. Next he studied at Wolverhampton Polytechnic from 1971 to 74, under John Paddison, and finally at the Royal Academy from 1974 to 77, under Willi Soukop.
Career
He is known for his exterior sculptures, dubbed "iconic stone carved pieces that are large scale interpretations of natural form", but he also painted, drew, created collages and made smaller sculptures.Of his works, Mason said:
My works attempt to recognise and emulate the natural forces inherent in both carving and the geology. There is something deeply attractive and satisfying about the sculptural processes on both scales, and the dialogue between them that occurs quite naturally within the fragment and the whole.
He taught from 1993–1997 at Northumbria University. Mason taught at Derby University after Northumbria. In 2004, at Derby University, he became Professor of Sculpture. Mason also taught at art schools in Loughborough and Staffordshire.
Mason had in-house residencies in his career, including one at Gloucester Cathedral in 2000–01 and the other in 1996 at Tate St. Ives, where he worked in Barbara Hepworth’s Studio.
Works
This is a partial list of Mason's works.| Work | Year | Location | Type | Notes and References |
| Hinge | 1977 | Harlow New Town, Harlow, Essex | Sculpture, red sandstone | The 5-foot outdoor sculpture, commissioned by Sir Frederick Gibberd, is positioned near post-war sculptures. It is at the Gibberd Garden. |
| Vertex | 1979 | Harlow, Essex | Sculpture, dove grey Bardolino marble from Carrara | The work, located on the Broad Walk, is 76 × 76 × 213 cm. Visit Harlow said it was his first major commission. |
| Centenary Square | 1985 | Sheffield | ||
| Courtyard | 1985 | Harlow, Essex | Sculpture, marble | Mason created the work, which is 21 × 26.5 × 2.5 cm, for the Harlow District Council to commemorate Alan Medd's service to the city as Treasurer and Town Clerk. It is at Gibberd Gallery in the Civic Centre. |
| Leaf Field | 1987 | Museum of St Albans, St Albans | Sculpture, Lincolnshire limestone | The 1/2 ton sculpture, originally made for the Alban Arena, is located outside the Museum of St Albans. |
| Above & Below | 1993 | Southampton | Ancaster Limestone | The work is located at the National Maritime Building. |
| North Sta | 1994 | Edinburgh | Sculpture, marble and related artworks. | Edinburgh City Council commissioned the work. |
| Seaham Promenade sculptures and panels | 1998 | Durham | Sculpture and mosaic panels | He was lead artist for the Groundwork Trust East Company commission. |
| Gloucester Cathedral | 2000–2001 | Gloucester | Carvings | Residency for one year to produce carvings for the cathedral. |
| East Yar River Project | 2002 | Isle of Wight | Sculptures, Portland stone | Six sculptures are positioned from Niton to Brading. Island 2000 Trust commissioned the work. |