BIO
Born 1958 in the west of England, a self-taught artist, working in small sculpture and netsuke, from wood, ivories, deer antler and horn.
Having always preferred to carve functional sculpture, I began carving walking stick and cane handles. Later, tobacco pipes from briar and meerschaum for both specialist companies and private collectors.
This preference for functional sculpture led into the world of netsuke, which was introduced to me by my then employer, who's father had at one time been Polish Ambassador to Japan, and had an extensive collection of Japanese art, as well as a wealth of knowledge on the subject, which she kindly shared with me. With her initial encouragement, some 25 years ago, I have carved netsuke and small sculpture ever since, with a preference for the Iwami style, having studied some fine examples in her collection.
After an accident put an end to a decade working in the forestry and wildlife field, I made the decision to pursue carving as a way of earning a living. Up until that time, I had carved purely for my own enjoyment and, for the past 15 years, have concentrated on netsuke, carving a wide range of subjects, the majority inspired by the natural world.
Peter Welsh
