Visiting the Veritasse website today meant that I found information about two sculptors, Shawn Williamson and Josephina de Vasconcellos.
Williamson, who was once a pupil of de Vasconcellos, recently had a huge, carved figure of Raphael unveiled at Rydal Hall (Ambleside, Cumbria) to honour the memory of de Vasconcellos, who died in 2005 at the age of 100.
Williamson draws the inspiration for his work from his deep connection with the ancient past. Most of his pieces have a spiritual dimension, whether a statue of Madonna and Child, Pictish rock art or a carving of a bird. Often this involves interpreting the vision of his clients into stone.
He has carried out commissions for all kinds of organisations, from town and parish councils, charities and trusts to universities, churches and corporate bodies. His work is divided into four main areas: monolithic stone sculpture, sculptural functional features, smaller stone sculptures and sketch models (small pieces in plaster of paris or plastiline for casting in bronze resin).
Born in England in 1904, the only child of a Brazilian diplomat and an English Quaker mother, de Vasconcellos was a younger contemporary of Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. In the years following the First World War she studied at the Regent Street Polytechnic, then in Paris with Bourdelle, then in Florence with Andreotti. But as an artist she followed her own individual path, always believing that sculpture has a role to play as an inspirational force in society. She faced many challenges and disappointments, yet, sustained by her sincere Christian beliefs, managed to continue working into great old age. She died on 20 July 2005.
Obituaries were published in The Independent (by Margaret Lewis) and The Guardian (by Linda Clifford). More information about a book on her life and art can be found by clicking here: Josefina de Vasconcellos, Her Life and Art.
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Albert Ayler - Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
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