Grant’s Story at Sea…
Grant’s story began as he grew up around boats on the Irish Sea & Shannon Lakes. He was also lucky enough to travel the world on the then Irish Sail Training Vessel, Asgard II, initially as a Trainee and latterly as Bosun.
On his return to Dublin, he set up Safewater Marine Services providing clients with professional boat maintenance and repair to full refits.
Grant’s story as a Designer & Sculptor in Dublin…
Grant has always been inspired by movement in nature and is drawn to the way that sails catch the wind, waves lap against the shore and leaves sway in the breeze.
This fascination with movement led him to pursue a career in sculpture and garden art, with a focus on nautical and botanical themes.
“I strive to create art that captures beauty and conveys a sense of fluidity & grace.”
Grant Designs, established in 2017, was a natural progression of his love for creating unique pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve a practical purpose in everyday life.
“Expertise & experience are different. I have learnt from experts, but have also built my own skills & experience through practice & experiment. I try to bring this through in my craft, as each new design brings a new challenge which I relish”
Grant is always comfortable with a nautical theme.
“I always enjoy working with sail shapes, like my Zanzibar & Whisper yacht models. I also design Sculptures with leaf and organic shapes. Leaves are like miniature sails and, once I visualise how the wind is going to move something, I can see it come to life”
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As a Sculptor in Dublin, Grant has exhibited at Sculpture in Context in the National Botanic Gardens Dublin with Copper in Flame in 2018, Still Leaf in 2019, Release at the SIC virtual exhibition in 2020, Seedling in 2021 and Releaf & East Wind in 2022
Art at the Mill Garden, Thomastown as part of the Thomastown Creative Arts Festival and the Alternative Kilkenny Arts Festivals in Summer 2021 & 2023.
Art Source RDS, Dublin ‘Ireland’s biggest & best Art Fair‘ November 2021 & 2022.
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Grant has designed & handcrafted the following Awards & Trophies:
2021 Perpetual & Individual Trophies for the Royal Cork Yacht Club Tricentennial Celebrations
2022 505 World Championship Prizes for the Royal Cork Yacht Club
2022 Prix d’Elegance Perpetual Trophy for Volvo Cork Week
WAVE 2022 Awards for Howth Yacht Club as Presentation Gifts to the Regatta Sponsors.
2022 Irish Sailing Trophies for the Youth National Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club.
2023 Student Enterprise Awards for the finalists of the Student Enterprise Programme 2023.
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Private Commissions include Corporate Service Awards, Private Sculptures & Garden Art.
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“Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort”
John Ruskin.