I was struck how in the hands of a skilful blacksmith unpromising chunks and lengths of steel could be coaxed, fashioned and stressed with precision hammer blows into lifelike expressions in metal.

Sometimes, perhaps rarer than that, I meet a person through photography whose qualities match exactly the trade or calling to which they have dedicated their life. They were quite simply born to do what they do, destined to follow their [...]

‘If you want to know the measure of a man look at the shoes he wears’. This well known aphorism came to mind as I squeezed myself into a barely workable space to take some photographs in the basement workshop of one of the most celebrated shoemakers in the world…

‘Art in Action’ is a celebration of craftsmanship: a one stop show case for demonstrable artistic endeavour. It provides a rare opportunity to observe painters, woodcarvers, weavers, potters, glass -blowers, jewellers, sculptors and a host of other artists, normally tucked away in studios, openly displaying their creative skill in the grounds and gardens of an appealing English country house…