|
WHEN all the other little boys were running around
with pockets filled with marbles, Michael Johnson's were crammed with
little pieces of copper.
Even
as a youngster the now successful copper sculptor was obsessed with
making the heavy and cumbersome metal look elegant and alive.
Today
he creates timeless copper pieces in the workshop once used by
self-taught fishermen who created Newlyn's highly collectable
20th-century copper work.
And he has a cunning plan to revive its former glory.
"These walls once reverberated with the masters of Newlyn copper at work, but when the demand died their skills went with it.
"I always wonder about all that lost workmanship and the pieces they would have made but never did."
John MacKenzie, founder of the Newlyn Industrial Class, is credited with being the instigator of the Newlyn Copper Industry.
The
painter and illustrator, who came to Newlyn in 1878, instructed local
people in metalwork, enamelling and embroidery and painting.
The
Industrial Class was enriched by the contribution of John Pearson, a
skilled artist and designer who was invited to Newlyn in 1892 to teach
at the class.
His techniques and skills greatly influenced MacKenzie and his associates.
However,
it was MacKenzie who was largely responsible for what was to become
known as Newlyn Copper, designing patterns associated with the village
and its industries in a naturalistic style which has much in common
with the painting of the Newlyn School. Michael is working along the
lines of past masters like Mackenzie, inviting Newlyn school- children
to shadow him to develop an eye for sculpting in copper.
His
significant commissions, created with co-worker Peter Wilson, include
the intricate oak and copper furniture for Newlyn's Trinity church, a
six feet, 100-gallon copper rainwater collector for Hampton Court
Flower Show, a water feature adorned with hundreds of intricately
carved copper leaves for Penlee House, a four feet copper fisherman for
Padstow, and countless restoration projects, including Trewidden House,
near Penzance.
And
his successful trade stand at the Hampton Court Flower Show secured him
a certificate of commendation and scooped a contract that could see him
working in collaboration with a large show garden for Chelsea Flower
Show. "All I'm trying to do is draw attention to simple honest
craftsmanship," he said.
"Re-establishing copper brings a sense of pride to the Newlyn community."
For more information about The Copper Works you should log on to www.thecopperworksnewlyn.com
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN
 |
