Alan Sidney studied at Liverpool School of Art in the 1960s, and worked as a book illustrator and graphic designer, before turning his talents to clay. This may explain the fantasy element of his work, which is always intriguing and even psychedelic. He lives in Newtown, Wales, and works from home, regularly raiding his kitchen for objects that he can use as moulds. He also models forms directly. His works reflect his passion for architecture, machines and ancient civilizations. Alan Sidney – 1992 Stoneware assembled from moulded frogs, snakes, turtles and even an elephant inhabit this sculpture, which is also a whistle. To Sidney it represents an enchanted world where animals live together happily, something which he contrasts with the way people live in the real world.