Born and bred\n<\/p>\n
\n Laurence works out of his foundry in Halesworth (Image: Supplied) What is your connection to Suffolk?
Born and bred\n<\/p>\n
\n Who or what first made you fall in love with sculpture?
You probably mean making things; ‘The Haven’, the name of my Dad’s shed in the back yard, where chisels, a bandsaw and a lathe lived, steeped in the smell of linseed oil.\n<\/p>\n
\n If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Sleep patterns.\n<\/p>\n
\n If you weren\u2019t a sculptor, what would you be doing?
Sleeping\n<\/p>\n
\n What\u2019s one of the most important lessons you\u2019ve learned from the past?
That we shouldn’t be seduced by charismatic populists.\n<\/p>\n
\n When and where were you the happiest?
Studio.\n<\/p>\n
\n Who has had the biggest influence on you in your life?
Johanne my wife. She has changed my diet ‘for the better’ (Keffir!!)\n<\/p>\n
\n What do you love most about Suffolk?
Reedbeds.\n<\/p>\n
\n What are your favourite restaurants\/cafes?
Golden Fish Bar, Saxmundham, Kings Head, Yoxford, The Ox Cafe, Yoxford, The Mayfly,\u00a0Lowestoft, Desmond’s, Lowestoft, Mark G’s,\u00a0Lowestoft.\n<\/p>\n
\n Laurence stands under the original plaster of The Yoxman before casting begins (Image: Supplied) What\u2019s your favourite Suffolk landmark?
The Yoxman\u00a0of course!! Plus a church or two…\n<\/p>\n
\n What is your specialist Mastermind subject?
The making of the Yoxman\n<\/p>\n
\n What is always in your fridge?
85% Dark Lindt chocolate\n<\/p>\n
\n What\u2019s your simple philosophy of life?
Stay alive at all costs.\n<\/p>\n
\n Who is your favourite Suffolk person?
Russell Pearce. He has a fantastic red tractor and has saved the village hall!\n<\/p>\n
\n What\u2019s your favourite film?
The Havens of Yoxford,\u00a0shot on location in a Suffolk bedroom and back garden in 2009 with cameo appearances from a plastic T-Rex and a Diplodocus. Written and directed by Simeon and Julian Edwards aged ten and seven,\u00a0respectively.\n<\/p>\n
\n Who do you admire most?
Russell Pearce before a pint in the Kings Head. After, he’s not so good, so then it would have to be Mahatma Gandhi.\n<\/p>\n
\n What was your first job?
Demolition of a shop.\n<\/p>\n
\n What is your most treasured possession?
An old Fire Station.\n<\/p>\n
\n What is your biggest indulgence?
Lindt Chocolate 85% dark, slightly chilled with tahini on.. (my wife’s influence)\n<\/p>\n
\n What do you like about yourself most?
My sense of humour!\n<\/p>\n
\n What\u2019s your worst character trait?
My sense of humour\n<\/p>\n
\n Where is your favourite holiday destination?
The Creuse Valley in the middle of nowhere in the middle of France.\n<\/p>\n
\n Laurence in his studio (Image: Supplied)When was the best day of your life?
Becoming a Butley Ferryman. Everyone must cross the Butley Creek at some point in their lives, though only at weekends and only in the summer months. It’s very cheap, pets are free and the ferrymen are renowned for their sense of humour!\n<\/p>\n
\n You\u2019ve spoken about your work being \u201cof the moment but for the future.\u201d What do you hope future generations take from it?
That they were glad their parents had bought it.\n<\/p>\n
\n \n What do you want to tell our readers about most? \n What new projects are you working on?The painting of Laurence by ‘Dide’ is being exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery until 12 October (Image: Supplied) There\u2019s currently a portrait of you hanging in the National Portrait Gallery. How does that feel, seeing yourself as the subject rather than the sculptor?
Yes, this is a portrait painted by Dide, (featured here, all commission enquiries to www.dide.uk<\/a> ). I was eyed suspiciously at the opening as if I’d been recognised from somewhere before and relentlessly complimented on my brilliantly painted boots.\n<\/p>\n
The appalling and unnecessary toll the ‘Energy Coast’ project is having on the part of Suffolk I live in. It is horrendous and deeply sad.\u00a0I could go on but my sense of humour would dry up!\n<\/p>\n
I’ve just opened an exhibition at ‘Messums West’ in Wiltshire. It’s my largest show to date and is housed in a remarkable 12th century barn in Tisbury. I’ve also been asked to create the set for a new and bold production of Akenfield\u00a0put on by the Shake Festival\u00a0to tour Suffolk through the autumn.
For tickets visit www.messums.org<\/a>, www.shakefestival.com<\/a> and www.ticketsource.co.uk\/shake\/akenfield-adapted-for-the-stage-by-glenn-wilhide\/2025-10-11\/14:30\/t-pqjyyoq<\/a>\n<\/p>\n