Viv Astling HRBA

Methodology

Astling obtains his stone as either particular sized blocks from the quarry itself, or from offcuts which may otherwise go to landfill. A suitable stone is selected dependent upon its texture and delicacy of form. Sometimes, Viv even omits his traditional maquette and template in favour carving directly into the stone, following its natural flow to find a form. 

Viv generally carves larger work using limestone from the Portland quarries, the Ancaster quarry in Lincolnshire, or the Hoptonwood quarry in Derbyshire. Occasionally, he carves in Red Sandstone from the Hollington quarry, Polyphant from Cornwall, or Alabaster. Much softer than limestone, Alabaster is carved with wood carving tools and has an unusual translucent quality. 

Bio

Viv Astling was born in 1943 in Epsom, Surrey, attending Glyn Grammar School and residing in the area until 1962. Struggling with painting at primary school, it took nearly 40 years for Viv to engage again with the practical side of art. During the intervening period, he read for a law degree at Sheffield University and became interested in the Visual Arts. As President of the Students Union (1965-1966) he helped organize an Arts Festival for the University and the City. The Festival comprised a full artistic programme including an exhibition of about 25 works from the then unknown Bridget Riley and large-scale painted steel sculptures by Neville Boden. As Union President, he met the sculptor Henry Moore in 1966 when the University conferred an Honorary Degree on him.