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Born in 1969, Shaun Gagg grew up in the former mining village of Wombwell, near Barnsley in Yorkshire. From an early age, he was drawn to art, deeply inspired by the surreal visions of Salvador Dalí. His first career as a roofer introduced him to working with slate, a material that would later become central to his early sculptural practice. Shaun began creating artworks using natural materials like slate and sandstone, drawing inspiration from influential British sculptors such as Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, as well as land artist Andy Goldsworthy, whose work had a profound impact on his creative development.

Shaun’s creative journey took him to the Peak District, where he began experimenting with land art, balancing large stones in rivers and streams to form intricate, ephemeral installations. A later move to the coastal village of Flamborough near Bridlington saw his work evolve into larger, more physically demanding slate sculptures. However, the strain of working with such heavy materials eventually impacted his health.

Following a leg injury, Shaun engineered a custom metal calliper for himself, an experience that reintroduced him to welding and marked a pivotal shift in his artistic direction. In the years since, he has focused exclusively on metal sculpture, using reclaimed materials to create bold, expressive forms. This transition allowed him to move beyond the constraints of natural stone and fully explore his imagination through welded, freeform creations.

Shaun’s sculptures are characterised by their use of everyday objects like coins, nails, and keys, which he welds into stunning, often large-scale, works of art. These sculptures range from abstract forms to more figurative pieces, like torsos and animals, demonstrating both his technical skill and creative vision. His works are available for purchase and have been featured in various galleries and exhibitions.

His journey from a roofer to a sculptor who now specialises in metal welding highlights his adaptability and relentless pursuit of artistic expression, driven by a deep passion for creating and a willingness to evolve his techniques and materials in response to life's circumstances.