Norman Gaches
Ships' Figurehead Carver
Norman Gaches is the UK's leading ships' figurehead carver. He has been wood carving for more than 35 years and is hailed as the most respected craftsman in his field. His revival of this ancient artform leaves a legacy for maritime art.
Norman is self-taught and has a natural talent for working with wood. One of his most prestigious commissions is the figurehead for the museum battleship HMS Warrior at Portsmouth, which he carved with the late Jack Whitehead.
His work is also popular with yacht owners, shipping enthusiasts and cruise ship owners. In 2001 Norman worked onboard the cruise ship the QE2 where he gave wood carving demonstrations.
Following the tradition of carving portrait ships' figureheads of the captain's daughter or the ship owner's wife, Norman has also carved a portrait of Hollywood actress, Kelly McGillis, who starred with Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun.
Norman Gaches is the UK's leading ships' figurehead carver. He has been wood carving for more than 35 years and is hailed as the most respected craftsman in his field. His revival of this ancient artform leaves a legacy for maritime art.
Norman is self-taught and has a natural talent for working with wood. One of his most prestigious commissions is the figurehead for the museum battleship HMS Warrior at Portsmouth, which he carved with the late Jack Whitehead.
His work is also popular with yacht owners, shipping enthusiasts and cruise ship owners. In 2001 Norman worked onboard the cruise ship the QE2 where he gave wood carving demonstrations.
Following the tradition of carving portrait ships' figureheads of the captain's daughter or the ship owner's wife, Norman has also carved a portrait of Hollywood actress, Kelly McGillis, who starred with Tom Cruise in the film Top Gun.
