A stonemason who has dedicated nearly five decades of his life to York Minster is set to have his own likeness permanently integrated into the historic building. John David, master mason emeritus, has had his face carved into a stone 'grotesque', a decorative carving similar to a gargoyle, which will be installed on the south side of the Minster later this year.
The commission forms part of the ongoing restoration and replacement programme for the Minster's weathered and aged grotesques. Mr David, who began working at the iconic cathedral in 1980, expressed his profound humility at the honour, noting that the Minster's many carvings have endured for hundreds of years.
The intricate carving, which took five weeks to complete, incorporates personal elements representing Mr David's life. These include a pair of divider calipers, a symbol of his craft, a daffodil to signify his Welsh heritage, and the face of his labrador, Poppy. Stonemason Martin Coward, who crafted the piece, explained that he aimed to design something that reflected Mr David's attributes and would be legible from a distance, driven by a desire to show appreciation for his extensive work on the building.
Mr David's long tenure at York Minster includes his involvement in the crucial repair efforts following the devastating fire in 1984. He described that night as 'traumatic' and 'surreal', recalling the widespread distress the following day. However, he emphasised that the immediate thought among craftsmen was to rebuild and restore the damaged structure.
The grotesque has been deliberately created in a medieval style to ensure it harmonises with the Minster's existing masonry, some of which dates back over 800 years. Mr Coward noted that a straightforward portrait would have appeared out of place, explaining that the features are subtly exaggerated to fit the traditional aesthetic. Mr David concurred, stating his belief that it is a 'great carving' that a medieval mason would appreciate, which he considered paramount.