Stonemason and geologist set up art gallery Melton Mowbray is set to get a new art gallery, which is thought to be the only place in Europe where a unique art form is produced WORDS BY KERRY SMITH
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aiting patiently for his chance to shine in the art world, stonemason Stephen Wain achieved his long-awaited dream this year of embarking on an art-related career. The 55-year-old has taken to swapping his dusty work boots – which he wears to run his business Sedgewick Stone that he set up over 30 years ago cutting and fitting high quality, natural stone for homes and offices – in favour of even dustier work boots to produce a unique form of stonebased artwork. It’s taken Stephen and his colleague, geologist Russ Parsons, 52, over two years to perfect the process of etching on slate, and when I went for a sneak peek of the Goffod gallery back in September, the unfinished space was packed with excitement and perfectly etched pieces. Their boyish enthusiasm for what they’ve managed to create was infectious, and just like Stephen, I too “cannot wait for someone to commission a piece as big as the wall”. It sounds like the pair have put in some serious graft 52 | NICHE
over the years in the fittings business, but neither of them is new to the art scene. Stephen said: “We’ve been doing kitchen worktops, vanity units, and floors but it is heavy, dirty work. I’d had this idea to put artwork on slate for a few years, but it was an investment to get it started. “I love all kinds of art. I’ve been to hundreds of galleries. My favourite is probably the Tate at St Ives in Cornwall. I’ve even worked in a few galleries. I’ve always been into art, poetry, and drawing. I do a bit myself but nothing to the standard of the lasering. I’m blown away by the quality. This is the dream.” Throughout his career, Stephen’s made efforts to keep a foot in the door with other artists and projects. While working in Dublin, he was hired to design and install an exhibition gallery for one of his favourite painters, Francis Bacon. Stephen was also commissioned to fabricate the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings Memorial in Glasnevin. It’s down to these experiences and the diligent stonework he carries out in the Sedgewick Stone side of his career, that he’s now able