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I am a Master Stonemason and sculptor with five decades of professional experience in stone carving, architectural conservation and sculpture. My apprenticeship began in 1981 in the City of London, where I trained in the traditional craft alongside masters from England, Ireland, Italy and Malta. Two of those masters came from County Mayo, connecting my early professional training with the West of Ireland where I now live and work. Over the course of my career I have worked on historic buildings, architectural and sculptural projects and conservation work in Britain, Ireland and internationally, including work connected with the Palace of Westminster, the Vatican, the Doge's Palace in Venice, the British Museum and major historic estates and buildings. Alongside practical carving and conservation, I have spent many years teaching, lecturing and giving practical demonstrations and presentations to professional, academic, heritage and general-interest audiences. My work has brought me into contact with archaeologists, architects, conservators, museum professionals, researchers, collectors, artists and craftspeople. Today, I bring those five decades of practical experience together through S.J. Critchley — The Master Practice, organised through three distinct strands: Court Master Carving — City of London The London tradition of architectural, civic, heraldic and historic carving. Connacht Sculpture Workshop — West of Ireland My base in County Mayo for traditional Irish stone carving, sculpture, commissions, teaching, demonstrations and cultural projects. The Grand Journey — The Old World The wider geographical and cultural dimension of my work, drawing on decades of experience across Britain, Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa and the Islamic world. I am based in County Mayo and continue to work through sculpture, teaching, demonstrations, talks, commissions and cultural projects, with intensive small-group stone-carving workshops at Connacht Sculpture Workshop. I am available for commissioned sculpture and stone carving, invited lectures and practical demonstrations in Ireland and internationally, online presentations, and intensive small-group stone-carving workshops in County Mayo. My work is grounded in the belief that traditional craftsmanship is not simply something to be preserved as history. It is a body of knowledge that can still be practised, taught and developed through making.
Teaching, Harmonic proportion and Classical design and +5 skills
Teaching, Harmonic proportion and Classical design and +5 skills
For five decades, I've dedicated my life to the classical art of stone carving, a journey across 48 countries and through a lineage of master masons stretching back to 1080. My work, an architectural and classical sculpture, reflects a deep-seated belief that our craft is not merely about creating objects but about preserving one of the highest forms of human achievement. In an era where digital tools are often seen as a replacement for human artistry, I stand for the irreplaceable value of the human touch. I believe that handcraft is essential for both the creator and the observer, offering a therapeutic respite from our fast-paced world, enhancing our mental well-being, and strengthening our connection to the objects around us. I offer workshops and short courses internationally to the public where you can learn these ancient techniques alongside me on my current commissions. My training is designed to support a diverse range of individuals, from those seeking a creative outlet to those dealing with mental health challenges. It is a holistic practice that integrates psychology, philosophy, theology, and history with the tactile process of creation, and I use storytelling and poetry as a vital resource to enrich the learning experience. The classical, holistic education offered to craftspeople for hundreds of years has many benefits in today's world. It provides a feeling of connectedness with society through culture and history. Through craft, we can highlight the best of human nature where all too often the negatives stand out. There is a sense of pride in your own culture, examined through the cadence, rhythm, beliefs, and history shown in the styles, proportions, materials, and techniques.
Harmonic proportion and Classical design, Stone and +4 skills
Stone, Hand carving and +1 skill