John Davey

From an early age, I’ve felt an irresistible urge to create—driven by the desire to bring into being something that has never existed before. My work is rooted in a profound dialogue with materials, especially wood and stone, which speak to me on a subconscious level. Their resistance is not a barrier but an invitation: a tactile conversation that reveals their true nature as I carve away the surface.
Each mark made is a moment of discovery. Beneath the skin of these materials lie distinctive strengths and vulnerabilities, waiting to be uncovered. I approach this process with reverence, allowing natural forces and intuitive gestures to guide the form. The result is not domination, but harmony—a balance that honors the character of each material.
In my practice, creation is not an act of imposition but of listening. It is through this quiet exchange that form emerges, shaped as much by the material’s will as by my own. My sculptures aim to reflect this partnership, revealing the beauty of tension, fragility, and resilience held within stone and wood.