Jolyon Oliver

Conservation Carpenter

Jo’s language is wood – quite literally, according to the late sculptor Anthony Caro, with whom Jo worked for over two decades. Craftsmanship runs deep in his family, stretching back through generations of makers – from his grandfather’s work on WWII Mosquito aircraft to his father’s cabinetmaking, and even further into the past. Based in Somerset, Jo brings a sculptor’s eye and a conservationist’s care to everything from restoring historic homes and artworks to building film sets and festival structures. Whether steam-bending oak for monumental sculptures in France or designing modular sets for Glastonbury, Jo thrives on creative problem-solving, teamwork and the joy of making things that last. When not in the workshop, he’s often offshore racing yachts with his son or walking the dog through the Somerset countryside. This is Jo’s second season at Port Lockroy.