We are delighted to have recently added an eye-catching collection of stone carvings by skilled artist and associate of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, Jay Battle, to our portfolio of sculpture.
Jay trained as a stonemason in Canada before later relocating to England to study stone carving, and in 1997 he became Head Carver at Salisbury Cathedral, contributing to its ongoing restoration alongside running his own studio.
During his time as stonemason at the cathedral he carved the Figure of George Herbert, commissioned by the Dean and Chapter, and displayed on the West Front of the Cathedral, and designed the main cross above the West Front of the Cathedral, to name but two. In fact, between 1998 and 2008 he created the largest set of statues to be added to the cathedral’s West Front since renowned ecclesiastical sculptor, James Redfern, in the 19th century.
His plentiful works can also be seen in several other locations at the prestigious and historic building, as well as Wilton House, St Lawrence’s Church in Stratford-sub-Castle, Holy Ghost Exmouth, and he has produced many grand private commissions besides.
Jay has now been involved in the repair and conservation of historic architecture and sculpture for over 35 years, and attributes his time spent working on medieval forms with informing his own sculpture and encouraging him to seek to create more contemporary and self-reflective pieces.
He said, “If it wasn't for my love and respect of historic buildings and craft, I would never have found the path to my own sculpture [...] My own sculpture is a way of expressing myself in a complete and fulfilling way.”
Jay’s wonderfully undulant and tactile sculpture have been widely exhibited over the years, including at the Bath Society of Artists Summer Show in 2022, Messum’s Wiltshire in 2018, and Royal Ulster Academy of Arts in 2017 - about which The Sunday Times Culture Section wrote that the exhibition was “immaculately crafted” and Jay’s piece Inner Circle was among the admired artworks.
Prior to that, he exhibited at Sculpture in Mompesson House & Garden; an event which showcased contemporary sculpture throughout Mompesson House & Gardens in The Cathedral Close, Salisbury, and also included the work of acclaimed sculptor and printmaker Elisabeth Frink.
In 2010, Jay’s work formed part of a two-month exhibition in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral, in which eight sculptors produced work, having been asked to take the concept of “liminality”, or transitional space, as inspiration for their submissions.
His work is notable for its accomplished handling of natural materials including marble, limestone, and slate; pleasingly combining traditional stonemasonry techniques with the more contemporary process of pigmented epoxy resin application. His work bears a distinct notion of continuity of line, in both the details of the work (like the flash of red resin coursing through Deep Red Line III) and in the overall shape of the piece, as can be seen in the smooth and elliptical form of Borderline.
Head over to our online gallery to browse through the collection of available works by this exciting and compelling new addition to Collier & Dobson’s sculpture collection.
