Carver vs Creator

[Dominic Welch <x@xxxxx>]

I have been catching snippets of the ongoing debate on
the merits of the 'carver' versus the 'creator'.

I have had the pleasure of working as assistant to Peter
Randall-page for the last 10 years and have been
involved in very many of his carvings. The amount I 'put
in' to each piece varies but there have been occassions
when I have done virtually all of the carving on a
particular piece. However there has never been any doubt
in my mind that the piece is his and I would never
expect to be credited for my involvment ( only well
paid!). We do have a very good working relationship and
over the years Peter has obviously learnt to trust my
interpretation of what he says.This will obviously have
the result that some pieces will be slightly different
than if he had been left to carve them himself.It is my
opinion that this enhances the creative process for him
in addition to helping get a substantial body of work
produced. The only slight problem for me comes sometimes
when I can see that the bits he's been working on aren't
(in a practical sense) as well executed as they could
be, but if after questioning him he is still happy with
the result I let it lie ...it is his work after all.

The method we use most commonly is triangulation from
maquettes using callipers, which contrary to what I read
here is extremely simple, flexible,and definitely not
clumsy. We worked it out for ourselves after Peter had
seen it practiced (although not explained!) in Italy.
The beauty lies in its flexibility, you use it as much
as you need as a compliment to your 'eye', and also it
allows us as  Peters assistants to be able to take a job
in hand without him having to be present all the time.
Sometimes he has a very strong idea of the finished
piece so that a maquette can be enlarged quite
faithfully and accurately. Other times he is not so sure
so the method can be used to get a very rough shape
quickly of the right proportions.

I also make my own sculpture and the same method can be
used for setting blocks out although I very rarely use
it beyond that.

I would be interested to here from anyone who uses the
technique of enlargement or wants to learn it, and also
to answer any further questions about my working
relationship as a sculptors assistant.

Happy carving,

Dominic Welch