King of Dust - Adventures in Forgotten Sculpture

‘King of Dust is a remarkable amalgamation of his scholarly research, technical and practical experience of stone carving and fine observation.’ Alison Bunning, Devon Buildings Group King of Dust is a craftsman’s journey through the landscapes and ancient sculpture that inspired him to pick up tools. Weaving the author’s own history with the potency of the stonecarvings and stories of their medieval carvers, the book is a meditation on craft, the importance of the handmade, and the transformative power of art in our lives. It explores how stone connects us with others through time and can help us find our place in the world. Praise: ‘A story of deep knowledge, self-discovery, mark-making and deft articulation, King of Dust is a masonic portal through which Alex Woodcock explores humankind’s relationship with stone.’ Dan Richards ‘…This fantastic book…’ Matthew Clayton, Caught by the River The Author: Alex Woodcock is a writer and stonemason from the south coast of England. After completing a doctorate on medieval sculpture he worked at Exeter Cathedral, where he helped repair the internationally significant west front. He has published work on Romanesque and Gothic stone sculpture, surrealist artists and the landscapes and geology of the south and southwest coasts of England. He is an award-winning poet and essayist, and in 2013 was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.