Stonework Chronicles: Stone Drawing

arts and monuments

1 Oct

Susanna Heron talks about her collaboration with stoneCIRCLE

In this edition of Stonework Chronicles, we delve further into our successful collaboration with renowned artist Susanna Heron. This partnership resulted in the creation of her monumental stone relief for the library at St John’s College, Oxford. This impressive project demonstrates the seamless blend of artistry, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology that defines stoneCIRCLE and Heron’s work together.

The Vision Behind Stone Drawing

Susanna Heron's Stone Drawing - preliminary drawing — *photos courtesy of Susanna Heron © all rights reserved*

Susanna Heron, an acclaimed British artist known for her intricate stone reliefs, was commissioned to create a large-scale stone drawing for the college’s library. This ambitious artwork consists of over 700 individual stones and showcases Heron’s signature ability to merge drawing and sculpture, integrating the stonework as a fundamental element of the building’s architecture.

Reflecting on the project, Heron recalls her initial approach: "I make a drawing thinking about the work as a whole." Her process began with detailed sketches, which were then transformed into precise cutting lines, rendering her vision into stone. However, given the scale of the project and the complexity of working with stone, she soon realised the need for specialised expertise.

That’s where stoneCIRCLE entered the picture.

A Collaboration of Craftsmanship and Innovation

Stone Drawing on fabrication at stoneCIRCLE factory — *photos courtesy of Susanna Heron © all rights reserved*

Heron decided to collaborate with stoneCIRCLE after realising that her studio lacked the capacity to handle the intricacies of cutting and finishing such large-scale stonework. "At the beginning of the project, I thought I could carve the work myself," she explains. “Then I realised that it would be impossible to do this in my studio."

This realisation led her to seek a partner who could not only translate her detailed drawings into stone with precision but also ensure that the quality and essence of her vision were maintained throughout the process.

Through close consultation with Barry and the stoneCIRCLE team, Heron’s detailed drawings were digitised, allowing the complex cutting patterns to be executed using CNC (computer numerically controlled) machinery. Heron highlights the importance of this collaboration, emphasising the attention to detail and communication throughout: "One of the reasons that I like working with stoneCIRCLE is that they check every detail at every stage with me to make sure that I'm happy with it."

Craft Meets Technology

Susanna Heron's Stone Drawing - installation — *photos courtesy of Susanna Heron © all rights reserved*

The creation of Stone Drawing involved a harmonious balance between modern technology and traditional hand-finishing techniques. Once the computerised cutting was complete, stoneCIRCLE’s masons meticulously laid out the pieces to ensure perfect alignment and hand-finished the stone to achieve the desired texture and precision. This attention to detail ensured that the final installation not only met but exceeded the expectations of both Heron and St John’s College.

Heron’s collaboration with stoneCIRCLE is a testament to what can be achieved when artistry meets craftsmanship. Over the course of 15 years, the two have worked together on four major projects. Each one represents a marriage of creative vision and technical expertise, a partnership built on trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

The Result: A Legacy in Stone

Susanna Heron's Stone Drawing - St John's College library, Oxford — *photos courtesy of Susanna Heron © all rights reserved*

The completed Stone Drawing now graces the St John’s College library, representing the enduring relationship between architecture and art. Heron’s work, brought to life by the precision and skill of stoneCIRCLE, perfectly embodies the college’s storied history while adding a contemporary layer of artistic expression.

This project encapsulates the essence of stoneCIRCLE’s ethos: to push the boundaries of what is possible with stone, combining the latest technology with the timeless skills of masonry. As Heron reflects, "Now I know that I can take a project to them and completely trust that they will do a really good job and on time."

In the video, Heron speaks from her studio, offering an insight into the creative and technical process behind this remarkable piece. Along with visuals of the artwork in situ at Oxford, this behind-the-scenes glimpse reveals the true complexity and beauty of the Stone Drawing, capturing both the scale of the work and the artistry involved in its creation.

You can see the full case study here and watch Steve Vanhinsbergh talking about the collaboration from our point of view.

You can also view case studies of the other works we have undertaken with Susanna Heron.

Continuing the Legacy

The Stonework Chronicles series is dedicated to sharing our stories about innovation, craftsmanship, and collaboration, as well as shining a light on the people, processes, and projects that make stoneCIRCLE a leader in the stone masonry industry. Through these chronicles, we want not only to showcase the beauty of our craft but also inspire future generations of artists, designers, and architects to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible with stone.

Stay tuned for more in-depth stories from Stonework Chronicles, where we continue to explore the art and craft of stone masonry, one remarkable project at a time.

project details

artist: Susanna Heron
architect: Wright & Wright
contractor: Szerelmey Ltd
motion picture and media production by Marco Joe Fazio Creatives
a special thanks to Sophia Carlarne and the Bursary Office at St. John’s College, Oxford

Susanna HeronStone DrawingSt John's College Oxfordstone reliefstonemasonryarchitectural stone artCNC stone cuttingtraditional stone craftsmanshipstonework chronicles

Marco Fazio

Marco Joe Fazio is CCO and director of photography at space+style™ by marco joe fazio Ltd, working in fashion, hospitality, food & drink, architecture and design.

Born and raised in Tuscany, Italy, Marco learned the rudiments of photography and the magic of the darkroom in his early school years. Thereafter, he worked in architecture, interior, and lighting design for two decades. During those years, Marco founded an award-winning architectural studio and managed a multidisciplinary design team, working mainly for fashion industry clients.

Since moving to London in 2008, Marco has been recognised as a Chartered Architect of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) while pursuing his dream of connecting the worlds of architecture, design, and fashion from the photographer's perspective.

After years of passionate dedication, hard work and professional achievements, he was awarded the Fellowship certification (FBIPP) by the British Institute of Professional Photography and won the Peter Grugeon Award for the Best Fellowship of the Year in 2016. Subsequently, he has been admitted as a member of the highly regarded Association of Photographers (AOP).

Having achieved a stronghold in coordinated image and photography for the design and fashion world, Marco has taken his expertise into the hospitality market; luxury and boutique hotels, fine dining restaurants, and the drinks and beverage industry are all reaping benefits from his services.

Today, Marco is leading his agency in assignments in the hospitality, fashion, and design industries.

Creative photography, cinematography, coordinated images and brand marketing form the core of his services.

Thanks to more than a decade in the music industry, Marco has expendable knowledge in composition and sound engineering. That knowledge is a valuable asset in creating licensed soundtracks and magnetic sound designs for commercial productions.

Marco's passion and another branch of his business are mentoring and nurturing new visual arts talents. In 2016, he launched "telling [fashion] stories" – photography & set design workshops – and more recently, he has become a lecturer for the School of Art and Creative Industries at London South Bank University (LSBU).

The crossover between genres and industries is a peculiar and essential factor in his work, contributing to thinking outside the box and achieving a unique style rich in symbolism and content.