English stonemason and carver Andrew Swinley has been chosen as the Craftsman of the Year in North America. He received the accolade from the MIA-BSI at an awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
Andrew has spent the past 30 years as a stonemason and creative stone artist. Currently the Carving Foreman at Red Leaf Stone in Abbottsford, British Columbia, Canada, his career in stone started in the UK as an apprentice with Cathedral Works Oraganisation (CWO) in Chichester, Sussex (in premises now occupied by Chichester Stoneworks and Szerelmey Conservation). He furthered his carving skills at the City & Guilds of London Art School.
His work while he was at CWO included carving eagles for the private memorial that was finished last year when Chichester Stonemasons installed four lions at the base (click here to see that project). He also carved the cross on the law courts at Marylebone.
Andrew says his appreciation for art began at an early age. He told the MIA-BSI (Marble Institute of America / Building Stone Institute): "When I was about 18 months old I demonstrated quite an unusual talent for drawing. When I was a bit older, maybe nine or 10, I had an epiphany that I wanted to do sculpture and carve figures."
Andrew was 20 when he joined Cathedral Works Organization. He focused almost entirely on restoration. He pursued a degree in figurative sculpture from the City & Guilds of London Art School then returned to CWO, where he was mentored by Douglas Garland, a renowned lettercutter.
He branched out on his own and after 20 years working as a self-employed stone carver, Andrew and his wife, Debra, moved to Western Canada for a position with Architectural Stonemasonry, a division of Red Leaf Stone.
Andrew was familiar with the company because he had trained with Shop Manager Tony Rogac when they were both apprentices at CWO in the 1980s.
In a letter nominating Andrew for the Crfatsman of the Year award, Tony Rogac wrote: "Andrew is a traditional stonemason and architectural carver; a man passionate in promoting the skills of his craft. His training and experience give him a unique insight into what is possible in stone. Andrew's work portrays an air of confidence as he executes [it] efficiently and determinedly, without hesitation. He is a direct carver, proceeding into the block without needing the aid of clay models or maquettes, having already predetermined in his mind's eye the eventual outcome. Like all good carvers, he is prepared to be adaptable in the process."
Steffen Waite, President at Red Leaf Stone, feels that Andrew's experience brings a new dimension to their business. He says: "Andrew's skill set, leadership skills, and artistic vision separate us from other companies. As we build awareness of Red Leaf Stone and Andrew's carving skills, we are seeing architects renewing a passion toward classicism."
One of the projects which showcases Andrew's talents is The Vermeer, a natural stone-clad multi-resident building in Vancouver, British Columbia, which features six carvings on the front of the building. The project was given an Award of Merit in the MIA-BSI 2016 Pinnacle Awards.
Andrew also enjoys passing on the knowledge and techniques he has accumulated during his career and he supervises two other carvers at the shop where he works and runs the drafting department. He says: "I like to help young people because I don't want the trade to die."
Tony Rogac says: "When you are passionate about something, then you want to see excellence. When you have excellence in yourself, you want to see that brought out in others. That's what Andrew does."
Andrew said of his award: "Winning the Craftsman of the Year Award means so much to me, because it was given to me by my peers. It's gratifying – and I finally got recognition in my field. It means even more to me than shaking the Queen's hand."
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