Wally has a unique and instantly recognizable decorative style using fine silver wire and chasing to build up layer upon layer of detailed surface. His silverwork has won a number of awards, and is to be found in the V&A museum as well as many other international public and private collections. His commissions include the De Beers Diamond trophy for Ascot 2000 and he was granted the Freedom of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in 1999.
Some of my new work can be seen on my blog, to be found on my home page. In November 2010 I completed a commissioned pair of 500mm tall chased silver vases, in January completed a commission for a 24" diameter wood and chased silver fruit bowl and I have just completed the designs for a new mace for a Cathedral. The bowl was from a beautiful piece of heavy burr oak with a wonderful grain.
The world of drawing and designing and that of working with and chasing silver are two different worlds to me. Each at the time, for me, require total absorption to the exclusion of the other but each feed the other.
I have just had a design accepted for a baptismal shell with a running hare for a handle and it will be great fun to carve this.
I think of the Decorative Arts as background, but the background against which we live our lives and therefore essential for happiness. Their cumulative effect is powerful and in their absence they are missed even when we are unaware of what it is we are missing.