SAM MACDONALD

'For an artist who uses traditional metalwork techniques, capturing the complexities of living game fish seems like a tall order. But from his workshop in Perthshire Sam MacDonald creates stunning relief sculptures in which the fish seem to almost leap off the background.' American Angler Magazine

Sam grew up on the Isle of Lewis and, after 4 years at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts training in Silversmithing and Metalwork, lived on Orkney for 19 years. This enabled his love of fishing, diving and the sea to combine with his developing skills in metalwork. Sam uses old, traditional metalwork techniques to produce contemporary and unique works made from pewter, copper, brass and gold leaf.

Sam explains; 'My artistic endeavour is to observe and capture fleeting moments of nature. I try to express an emotional response to something very private: a moment shared between man and nature'.

Sam's work is much in demand and he has held a number of solo shows in recent years including at The Gallery on Cork Street in 2012 and Alexander Meddowes Fine Art in Edinburgh in 2011. He exhibits each year at the CLA Game Fair and the House of Bruar, Perthshire and has undertaken numerous commissions, including a large salmon piece in the West Ranga Lodge in Iceland in 2014. Public commissions include a monumental sculpture made from recycled ploughshares outside Stomness Art Centre in Orkney and a bronze piece for the Institute of Medical Science in Aberdeen.