Paul Mason

Paul Mason (23 June 1952 – 9 May 2006) 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 died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As of 2006, Emma was the Head of Painting and Two-Dimensional (2D) 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.

Centenary Square 1985 Sheffield

Leaf Field 1987 Museum of St Albans, St Albans Sculpture, Lincolnshire limestone The 1/2 ton sculpture, originally made for the Alban Arena, is located outside the Museum of St Albans.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.

Gloucester Cathedral 2000–2001 Gloucester Carvings Residency for one year to produce carvings for the cathedral.

Exhibitions The following are partial lists of Mason's exhibitions.

Solo exhibitions 2005 Stone Landscapes. Quay Arts. Newport Isle of Wight. 1999 Dock Museum, Barrow in Furness.