Richard Renshaw was intrigued from an early age by the shells and fossils in the nearby gravel pits, deposited by the melting glaciers of the Ice Age. He gained a degree in Geology at Manchester University and worked briefly as a trainee geophysicist. Then he realised that a career and security were not priorities and for the following fifteen years he financed his climbing trips to mountain ranges throughout the world with a variety of jobs in the construction industry. He was part of climbing expeditions which have been related by fellow mountaineer George Lowe. While in Cardiff, he taught himself the techniques of wood carving, and a visit to Henry Moore's Royal Academy Exhibition of 1988 made a lasting impression. He moved beyond the traditional.
In 1993 he moved to an old farmhouse on the Western side of the Black Mountains in Powys, with plenty of work space surrounded by wildlife. Working on a larger scale in stone and iron as well as wood, Richard is increasingly interested in the interaction of sculpture and landscape.
My interests in both geology and mountaineering have strongly influenced my affinity with stone. I do not attempt to imitate nature, but rather to express the essence of forms found in the natural world. Ideas often begin as a scribble on a page or an observation, but evolve as discoveries are made during the carving process. The subtlest change in form can alter the sculptural idea, and I try to remain alert to visual discoveries and accidents in order to enhance the fluidity and contemplative nature of my work.
http://www.penpont.com/art/en/richard_renshaw.html