Meet Martin W Pool: A Self-Taught British Sculptor, Shaping His Passion into Sculptures

Martin is a self-taught sculptor from the UK, whose creative journey began at the age of just 4. His parents, noticing his early interest, gifted him a packet of plasticine – a simple gesture that sparked a lifelong passion. From that moment, Martin was hooked. Sculpting became his natural form of expression, and there wasn’t a day that went by without him sculpting something from his beloved modelling clay.

What sets Martin apart is his unwavering commitment to his craft. No one ever pushed him to pursue sculpting or pushed him to continue; it was a calling from within, a relentless drive to sculpt, improve, and elevate his skills. Today, at 38, Martin has been sculpting for almost 30 years, despite a few hiatuses along the way. His deep-rooted love for the art form has always brought him back to his work, regardless of the challenges.

Around the age of 30, Martin received a diagnosis that would help him make sense of many aspects of his life. He was formally diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, previously known as Asperger’s, and also diagnosed with ADD. Throughout his life, he had always felt as though he was overthinking everyday life, often feeling disconnected from the rhythm of normal life. 

However, when he was sculpting, everything clicked. Once he entered the flow of creating, the constant overthinking would fade away, and life became more manageable. The diagnoses brought clarity, helping him better understand himself and his unique way of experiencing the world.

Although everyone's life can be challenging, these are Martin’s challenges. But as in anyone’s life there are pros and cons to everything and Martin is grateful for the positives that come with being neurodivergent even though it also comes with many challenges with certain aspects of life that a lot of people might take for granted.

One of the positive milestones that shaped Martin’s career came at the age of 17, when he landed his first professional sculpting job after completing work experience at Aardman Animations – the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. With no formal qualifications or degrees in art or sculpture, Martin's raw talent and passion opened doors in an industry where credentials often hold more weight than skill. He is immensely proud of his self-taught background, knowing that his success has been built on his innate ability and dedication.

Martin’s time at Aardman Animations was both fulfilling and formative. His work as an assistant animator contributed to Creature Comforts series 2 and the USA version of the TV show. However, the journey didn’t stop there. After exploring a few entrepreneurial ventures, Martin returned to what he loves most: sculpting.

Today, he is the creator behind every sculpture featured on his website - MWP Studio. Not only does he design and sculpt each piece, but he also manages every aspect of his business – from sculpting, making moulds and casting the sculptures to packing and dispatching orders, he even does his own branding and marketing for MWP Studio.

For Martin, the challenges of running a one-person operation are just part of the joy. He thrives in the creative process and finds true fulfilment in knowing that his sculptures are cherished by people worldwide. Each piece is a reflection of his passion and dedication, and it’s that personal touch that makes his work special.

As a sculptor, Martin’s greatest hope is that his creations will be cherished by people for generations to come. However, the legacy that truly matters to him extends beyond his art. A passionate advocate for wildlife conservation, Martin donates 5% of the profits from his sculptures to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). 

This contribution helps support the protection of the very animals that inspire his work, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience and appreciate these magnificent creatures in the wild. Knowing that his art can make a positive impact on wildlife and the environment is a source of immense pride for Martin and serves as a powerful motivator in his creative journey.

With that in mind, Martin is committed to using 100% recyclable packaging at MWP Studio to ensure as little impact as possible on the environment.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Martin and his artistic journey. Whether you're browsing or purchasing, he's excited to share his sculptures with you and hopes they will bring lasting joy to your life.