Bob Neill

Bob Neill has been at the forefront of the pyrographic revival since the late 1970’s. Pyrography is a traditional craft practiced for many years in South America, Africa, Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe.

Following a lifetime in teaching and art and craft, Bob now works from his workshop in Aston on Trent and teaches all over the country. Bob studied at Bangor, Cardiff College of Art, Birmingham University and Trent University – Nottingham. He taught art at secondary level in Derbyshire and London for over 20 years and was one of the leaders in developing ‘basic design ideas’ in art education in the early 60’s.

During the 60’s and 70’s Bob exhibited large abstract paintings, mosaics and metal constructions in many top galleries across the country. His experience of using wood, metal and plastics took him into another area in the seventies – designing and making toys for disabled children.

In 1975 he was awarded a Winston Churchill Travelling Scholarship in order to exchange ideas with toy designers in the USA and Canada.

Bobs decorated turned work developed through his many contacts on the ‘craft fair’ circuit during the early 80’s and his teaching at craft supplies. In 2003 he was awarded a Shackleton Trust Scholarship – teaching pyrography in the Falkland Islands.