|
BiographyHarry was born in Tiger Bay Cardiff in 1951 and grew up in a large family in Morecambe where he spent a lot of his childhood exploring the natural world in the nearby Lake District.
He began carving whilst teaching as a VSO in Swaziland, where he saw the brutality of apartheid and the courage and warmth of those struggling against it. After studying Zoology at Cambridge he became a full time artist, teaching himself to cast bronze in a backyard furnace, bringing tree trunks back to his studio, drawing and working in stone. It was a time of little money, shared houses and complete involvement in art, people and politics. Determined to communicate to the widest range of people, and encouraged by the warm reception of his work; he exhibited widely, often in association with organisations like Amnesty International, MIND, Tools for Self-Reliance and WOMAD. These exhibitions, in cathedrals, shopping centers, galleries and public spaces have always attracted people from all backgrounds. They appreciated art that connects to important moments in their lives, and is a genuine attempt to communicate. With two children, Harry also needed to earn some money! He taught at a Special School, worked for a charity that provided hand tools to cooperatives in Africa. Moving to Abergavenny, Harry became Monmouthshire's Director for Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations, working to build the capacity of voluntary organisations. Harry was the Head of the Wales office of the Charity Commission for 12 years, providing regulatory advice to some of the largest charities in England and Wales. Now retired, he is Chair of Welsh Refugee Council, involved in Just Food Abergavenny and actively walking the Cambrian Way. |