Reading the clay
A former manager once made a disparaging remark referring to people who just want to ‘sit on a rock and spend all day thinking’. Nick Bennett took inspiration from this and thought it sounded a fine way to spend your life.
Nick moved to Princetown in 2020 after falling in love with its beautiful rugged landscape and austere granite architecture. I went to visit him in his home overlooking the Princetown prison and surrounding tors to find out more about this unconventional sculptor. Raised in Wadebridge, Nick had a happy childhood in Cornwall. He attended Middlesex University in London before travelling for three years in Australia, New Zealand, and South East Asia. Having trained as a computer programmer in the eighties, he was soon scaling the ladder, finally becoming IT programme director. However, he felt unfulfilled despite 40 years in this career and was encouraged to take up a hobby.
He enrolled in a series of evening classes in ceramics and from the moment he first touched the clay, Nick was hooked. His first class involved sculpting the human figure using live models. Thrown in at the deep end, Nick learnt to read the clay and understand its many properties. He joined the “Ceramic Fusion” club in Middlesex where he honed his skills and became ever more passionate about sculpture. His work is always hand built and unpretentious, made organically, with a sense of fun. Nick has built up a portfolio of idiosyncratic and diverse ceramics which include his gothic gargoyle “heeds” which are based on no one in particular, but emerge from his imagination. He also has a range of humorous human figures often made to be attached to a wall in falling postures. He has studied our local wildlife and has a range of quirky Dartmoor favourites - otters, sheep, ponies and “coos”. All are unique, with their own personality and unorthodox charm.
He was very proud to be invited by Jim McNeill, founder of Global Warrior, to be their Artist in Residence, and has concentrated lately on a collection of Arctic animals. Jim has led countless scientific exploration trips to the Arctic, collecting data in an effort to inform on issues surrounding global climate change. Nick is proud of their collaboration and has produced a series of polar bears, walrus, and whales in various postures, highlighting their plight.
Nick is also part of a small community team who have worked hard to create an arts festival designed to showcase the work of over 40 Dartmoor craftspeople in Princetown as well as the historic town itself. The first Princetown Arts Festival was held in four venues during August and Nick hopes that it will grow to become an annual event for Dartmoor creatives. Whilst logistically it was a steep learning curve for the organisers, the event was fulfilling and successfully celebrated the strong community of artists that are inspired by this incredible location.
Nick has exhibited in London, and exhibits his work locally in various galleries; he is especially pleased with his association with Kaya Gallery on the Barbican in Plymouth (kayagalleryltd.com), as well as the charming Salmagundi gallery in Calstock in Cornwall (sarahmccormackceramics.co.uk). He also joined the ranks of Devon Open Studios this year, and enjoyed welcoming visitors to his studio in Princetown in September. Nick is an author as well, and has recently published two novels and a collection of short stories that he has been working on for decades. The books have been well received and he says the positive feedback has been very encouraging.
Nick has a deep appreciation for the community spirit in Princetown. He says he owes his life to The Dartmoor Rescue Team and to local people who offered help and support after he suffered two serious cycling accidents. He has been touched by the life affirming generosity and kindness of his friends and acquaintances who have welcomed this sculptor into their community. He is delighted that now, finally, he can sit on rocks and glory at the incredible beauty of the Dartmoor countryside.
Nichola Williams
You can find out more about Nick and his artwork at bennettclansculpture.com, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube (@nickdasculptor). Nick’s books, Joe's Alarm Clock, The Wilderness Error, and The Weird, the Strange and the Succulent, can be found by searching for ‘Nicholas D Bennett’ on Amazon.