Peter Heywood

I’m a mature student in my first year of a BA in Contemporary Craft at Plymouth College of Art. I draw and paint but my main focus is sculpture in wood, ceramics, glass and metal. I’ve recently started designing architectural objects and working with specialists to make them.

I enjoy experimenting with new technologies and materials. I’m innovative. I like making large-scale works of art.

I hope to become known for creating art in public places. I’ve already made a start by winning a competition to design the gates for Devonport Column, a Grade 1 listed monument in Plymouth. I’m also working on a plaque for the floor of St. Odulph's Church in Pillaton, a Grade 1 listed building that was struck by lightning in January 2013, causing considerable damage.

In the past couple of months I've won another competition, this time to paint one of a number of giant fibre-glass fish for public display in Plymouth, and I've had one of my sculptures - the Zip - accepted for Plymouth City Council's Open Art Display.

I have an unusual combination of creative and engineering skills. I worked as a chartered civil engineer for 10 years before making a big career change and becoming a journalist. Later on, I co-founded a successful technology news website in the U.S.. We sold it and I retired in 2007.