Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Aidan Campbell. I have had a life long interest in studying a broad range of arts and artisan crafts; explored first as a hobbyist, and then also as a professional, and in a practical sense as well as an academic. I took on my first paid commission as a young child in the 1980's and after leaving university I worked professionally in the fields of archaeology, museum work and education. I finally turned bespoke commissioned creative work into my full time employment in 2003. Year by year my client list and the work I have done for them continues to grow ever more diverse having earned a reputation as somewhat of a "renaissance man" or "the chap to go to when you don't know who to got to", periodically taking on truly bizzare commissions that defy categorisation under any regular job title.
Past commissioned work has included: Advertising work, architectural models and corporate giftware for both multi-national corporations and the PR/media agencies representing them. Full size replica historic artefacts, period costumes, consultancy work, educational displays and demonstrations of period crafts for national museums, experimental archaeologists and historical reenactors. Has included making FX models, props and wardrobe accessories (along with a little in front of camera work) for TV producers, Oscar and BAFTA winners. Takes in varied bespoke sculpting, miniature paintings, model making, dioramas and window displays for private collectors, foreign royalty and luxury retailers. Includes odd bits of work sub-contracted out by other professional model making studios and craftsmen. In the strange world where "art" is now about the origination of an idea, not its practical execution, I've been hired to physically produce other artist's concepts for their own exhibitions. I've also done copywriting for various periodicals and publications about varied aspects of my creative work along with writing about the research and practical experimentation supporting it. All the above being interspersed with pattern mastering, sculpting, mould making and casting for various small and large retailers in different hobby and collectable markets.
Most commission enquiries start with the phrase "I know this might sound a bit unusual but...". So if you are looking for a versatile craftsman to work on a bespoke project for you, take a look around this website and if you like what you see please get in touch.