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Interview with Martin Lyttle on KCLR
Martin Lyttle is an Irish stone sculptor. He was born in Kenya and lived in Ethiopia as a child before coming to Co. Carlow, Ireland at the age of nine. He studied Mineral Engineering in Athlone and went on to obtain an Honours Degree in Engineering Geology and Geotechnics in Portsmouth, England. He spent nine years in the valleys of South Wales and returned to Ireland in 1999, working as an Engineering Geologist. He lives near Borris in Co. Carlow, Ireland.
Martin has always had a passion for the landscape, the rocks and the soil and the processes that have formed the landscape. It was this strong interest that led him into a career in geology and now in stone sculpting.
In 2007, Martin took up a long cherished desire to do stone sculpting. He attended the Portland Sculpture and Quarry Trust, Portland, UK for a 3 week sculpture course and in the summer of 2008 he attended “Stone Sculpture Symposium” Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts for 6 weeks. The internationally renown tutors were Eileen MacDonagh (member of Ireland’s Aosdana) and Susanne Tunn (Germany). In September 2009, he took part in the 2 week “Sliabh Gearr Granite International Symposium” held in Killann, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Martin is particularly interested organic shapes and forms. He works only with local stone from local quarries or found stone. He enjoys undertaking both small and large-scale sculpture commissions. His background in geotechnical engineering means he has an in-depth knowledge of geology and skills to site and install large works safely and securely.
In 2016, he completed a large 8ft high granite stone commission for BlackStairs Ecotrails – An Ogham Tree – Teaching Stone.
In 2016, he was accepted to join the Form Designmade in Carlow.
In 2010, he completed a Per Cent for Art Commission for Cherryorchard housing scheme, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. This was commissioned by Wexford Co. Council’s Art Office.
Martin is a member of the 9 Stones Artists with whom he has exhibited on numerous occasions since 2004.
Martin regularly exhibits sculpture at Ballymaloe with Richard Scott Sculpture, curated by Richie Scott.
LithicWorks 