London Design
London is a hothouse for creative talent. It has a world leading rich cultural life and a vibrant arts scene. Born in London, artist Gary Drostle was privileged to attend some of the best art colleges in the capital. Beginning at Camberwell School of Arts where he undertook a three year part-time course when he was still at school. Gary went on to Saint Martins School of Art. Lastly he completed his degree at Hornsey College of Art, now Middlesex University. Each of these colleges are famed for their courses and former students.
Gary is a Londoner, born and raised in Woolwich in south east London. He is extremely proud of his neighbourhood. Gary revels in it’s mix of working class Docks and Arsenal history, and it’s buzzing contemporary heritage from all corners of the globe.
“Walking around Woolwich for me is a vision of how wonderful the world could be without boarders, the sounds of a dozen or more languages and the cultural mixes of food, shops, fashion and street life. From Praia to Prishtina, Dublin to Delhi and Ludhiana to Lagos, Kathmandu to Kobe and Addis to Aleppo… All of life is here”
British Craftsmaship
Gary’s dedication to his craft is born out of a constant struggle to improve, and attention to detail, combined with an appreciation of true master craftspeople and the heritage of the Mosaic Craft. As part of his quest for continual improvement Gary was made a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust scholar enabling him to study further at the prestigious Orsoni mosaic workshop in Venice. The QEST trust was set up by the Royal Warrant Holders Association to support excellence in British Crafts.
Recently Gary featured as one of the craftsmen in a new book ‘A Celebration of British Craftsmanship’ with a forward by HRH Prince of Wales and photographs by Julian Calder.
