By mick | Email to a friend | Digg |
Published: Monday 26 Jan 2009
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I’m Mick Johnson, a figurative sculptor and single parent to my son Robert.

Having read of the achievements, expertise and enthusiasm of everyone on this page, I was left with the problem of how to evaluate my own contribution to such a worthwhile task. What can I bring to the table?

As a youngster I was a natural at art; primarily drawing and painting. Importantly, I had, from as young as I can remember, strong opinions and the desire to express them the only way I knew how. Unfortunately, I was brought up in an environment that couldn’t tolerate the concept, or understand the value, of art and so I was denied the freedom of self-expression.

It is not until you are older and able to look back that you realise how early experiences have coloured your life. I suppose, therefore, I write as someone who may have benefited if the SP8 Foundation had been around in those days and, very much, like those who need the help today: For creative art, as a means of self-expression, requires an audience, a community that understands and nurtures. We owe it to the kids.

In my late thirties I was able, by chance, to study sculpture at Stafford College: I loved every minute of it. Finally, I was able to indulge my passion and boy did I take it to extremes. Luckily, enough of the old talent remained from my childhood for me to consider sculpting as a career when I left. The rest is another story but needless to say, my work can speak for itself now!