JOHN STEPHEN SKELTON MBE (8 July 1923 – 26 November 1999) was a British sculptor and letter-cutter whose work embraced a range of disciplines including stone and wood carving, heraldry, calligraphy and metalwork.
‘Tu Es Petrus’ Hoptonwood stone
His works can be seen in St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, The British Museum, and the Royal Opera House and many other public locations.
This exhibition celebrates John Skelton's innovative approach to the alphabet and lettering design and explores the large variety of commissions he produced.
Works on display represent significant pieces of sculpture and examples of lettering on stone and slate, many of which relate to the artist’s extensive catalogue of Public and Royal Commissions.
The exhibition presents the development of John Skelton’s work, through the presentation of original drawings, rubbings, and sketches and supported by maps, posters and 'workshop' photographs taken at the time.
This exhibition can only pay passing homage to John Skelton’s extensive body of work. However, visitors will gain a strong sense of his boundless innovation and we hope will be inspired to discover more.
John Skelton's daughter Helen Mary continues his work practices and philosophy at Skelton Workshops.
The exhibition has been curated by HELEN MARY SKELTON, JONATHAN SKELTON AND NATALIE OBORN. More details can be found on this dedicated website
ALL EXHIBITIONS AT THE LETTERING ARTS GALLERY ARE FREE TO VISIT
Churchill floor plaque. Bronze - metal fret grid set into Belgian Black Marble 1973