Exeter Cathedral was founded in 1050, and is a magnificent building, steeped in history. The present cathedral was built between 1114 and 1258 and is one of the best and most complete surviving examples of the English Decorative style of architecture left. A place of spirituality, learning and outreach, it is seen as an essential community hub, as well as offering amazing opportunities for talented young people in heritage craft skills. There is a team of six heritage stone masons. All benefit from gaining ongoing experience, training and learning opportunities whenever possible.
Thanks to a grant from the Radcliffe Trust, Exeter Cathedral was able to arrange for members of the stonemasonry team to undertake a four day Portrait Clay Modelling class delivered by leading artist and sculptor Andrian Melka. The first three days the masons were tasked with producing a clay portrait of cathedral Archaeologist John Allen. The last day the team were taught the methodology of producing plaster casts of the clay models.
The masons have delivered carved detail on projects previously. This course really helped the masons to learn replica and figurative carving of the human face and features for future works. A complete change to the more usual grotesques and foliage.
The Cathedral is very grateful for the Radcliffe Trust as the grant represents an investment in the individual masons expanding their skills and knowledge as they work for the benefit, care and maintenance of Exeter Cathedral’s medieval stonework in the near future.