Stone and freedom of expression...

Its been an interesting week with the events in Russia and the anti Putin artists making a stand....and a week of carving stone...strong and almost timeless as a material....artists have always used their mediums to express sentiment, when unhappy with their personal circumstances or social pressures exerted by ultra conservative viewpoints, which by the very nature, are in immediate conflict with art and the freedom to express oneself from the outset.

Like the everlasting qualities of stone and its longevity as a material, freedom of expression ultimately prevails and has longevity to survive way beyond those who wish to suppress it. The roots of free thought cannot be quashed, as once the seeds of objective thought are planted, they grow, unimpeded. I believe in freedom of expression, so much more that I'm now older and wiser to the winds of change in favor of democracy, it should be a  fundamental human right and although some more conservative mindsets may disagree , people seem happier when they have free thought and the right to choices and self determination.

I have returned to stone forms this week and one new wooden work, which awaits a base. The stone is very similar to that used in church construction in England. I believe that the stone I have sourced is Triassic sandstone and one smaller work is very close to granite. The stone took a good finish and a big plus is the work can stay outdoors. I do enjoy outdoor sculpture in a garden.

This next work is more granite in hardness....

And the largest work is this one........