About

James Stonework was founded in 2014 by Catherine Martin with the intention to design, make, conserve and install carefully crafted stonework.

With a background in contemporary sculpture and a traditional skillset in stonemasonry, carving and lettering, Catherine’s work includes the design and making of private and public commissions of contemporary sculpture, the carving of architectural detail for cathedrals and country houses, lettering for plaques, war memorials and headstones and the conservation of stonework on cathedrals, parish churches and their memorials.

Past work done includes that for York Minster, Worcester Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, St. Leonards in Ludlow, Colmore Row in Birmingham, St. Alkmunds in Shrewsbury and Eastnor Castle.

Concept, design work, the making of, installation and maintenance are all services that James Stonework provides.

Catherine has a degree in Fine Art Sculpture from Chelsea College of Art and a Foundation degree in Art and Design from Falmouth School of Art. Her diploma in Stonemasonry is from the Building Crafts College in London and her apprenticeship in Stonemasonry was undertaken at York Minster where she went on to become a stonemason in the Works Department. During her time at York Minster she graduated from the Cathedral Workshop Fellowship, a foundation degree course nourishing quality and depth in the craft of stonemasonry within the eight cathedral workshops in England.

Catherine is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Masons, a London Livery Company that endeavours to support specialist stonework for the future of the craft of stonemasonry in Britain.