Paul Mason (sculptor)
Introduction '''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 Mason in residence at Barbara Hepworth's Studio St Ives 1996Paul 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 (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 Paul Mason with Willi Soukop at the Royal Academy of Arts Schools, LondonHe 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.WorkYearLocationTypeNotes 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.
Exhibitions The following are partial lists of Mason's exhibitions.===Solo exhibitions===:2005	Stone Landscapes. Quay Arts. Newport Isle of Wight. :2001	"Division as Structure" Reliefs & Drawings Bauhaus Archiv, Berlin. :1998 Six Chapel Row, Bath. :1997	"From the Ocean Floor" Djanogly Arts Centre, Nottingham. :1996	Tate Gallery St Ives. Installation and new work sited throughout the permanent collection.===Group exhibitions===:2004	Fermynwoods Gallery, Northampton with John Holden:1999 Dock Museum, Barrow in Furness. :1997	Drawing Exhibition, Newlyn Art Gallery. :1995	"Divers Memories" Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford.===Retrospective exhibitions===:2012 Tarpey Gallerys
References
Further reading *Mason, Paul. (1987). ''Paul Mason: "the Cutting Edge": Sculpture 1977–1987''. Contributors: Bolton Museum and Art Gallery, Usher Gallery in Lincoln, and Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Bolton Museum and Art Gallery. .
External links *  The Poetics of Making, about Paul Mason*  Transformations of matter: contemporary carving in stone – Info about some of Mason's works*  Works & images*  Residency at Gloucester Cathedral*  The Gibberd Garden