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The Gradel Gargoyles, New College, Oxford

To be asked to make a gargoyle is a great honour and one that only comes once or twice in a stone carver’s career and quite often never. It is the ultimate joy for a stone mason to make a gargoyle as it is a relief from their normal work and a rare chance to express themselves. It will also be placed on an ancient and protected building or in our case a new build… giving a whole new meaning and dynamic to a gargoyle.

The Gradel Gargoyles, New College, Oxford

Gargolyes with a purpose

To find a reason to make gargoyles for a modern building we needed to revisit the motivations of why they originally appeared on buildings around the world. Firstly, to redirect the flow of rain water away from the building, and secondly to ward off evils based on mythical fear. At the same time gargoyles were decorative and a chance for the mason to display their artistic skills; This still applies today.

Gargoyles for a Modern age

The superstitions of the Middle Ages have little relevance with our modern lives, and so we wanted to address one of the very real concerns of today, highlighting the love of animals and the reminder that our eco system is fragile and precious.

Gargoyles which delight

In addition to the ecological theme, I felt a need to make a series of carvings that bring about surprise and delight.

Gargolyes with an impact

On sampling the chosen stone for the first time, it was clear the carvings needed to be bold and fairly simple. And so, we set about with some sketches, then careful drawings, and following approval, models were made.

Gargolye at the Royal Academy

A miniature version of my pangolin gargoyle was displayed in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy as part of a collaboration with David Kohn Architects.