Darren Rogers is a self-taught sculptor and musician whose practice explores the intersection of form, sound, and interaction. A few years ago, he began investigating a central question: can sculpture and music be united into a single artwork? From this inquiry emerged his ongoing series of interactive musical sculptures, stone works that function simultaneously as visual art and playable instruments.

Though still at an early stage in this journey, Darren has completed three musical sculptures to date, two of which were realised as public commissions. Each work invites audiences not only to observe, but to engage, transforming passive viewing into a shared, sensory experience.

Driven by curiosity and experimentation, Darren sees limitless potential in this hybrid medium. With every new piece, he seeks to challenge conventional ideas of what sculpture can be, pushing artistic boundaries to create entirely unique works that inspire joy, wonder, and playful interaction for all who encounter them.

What’s a typical day in the studio like for you?

In the winter months I tend to focus more on music. In the warmer months I focus more on sculpting.

I am currently recording my debut album, whilst at the same doing as much as I can to promote my Stone Mad Music website and business to try to generate an order or orders..

As my interactive musical sculptures are quite expensive to make currently I can only make them to order or commission.

What do you like most about your work?

The challenge of going into the unknown and the satisfaction that comes at the end of a project when I feel I have done a good job and created something of value.

What’s your favourite craft item in your home?

My guitar

Tell us about your first craft item you made

I saw it in the background of a video he posted recently on Instagram, and when I looked at it I thought to myself: How was I able to make that without it breaking? The stone branches that hold the candles are quite thin, and I finished them with claw‑chisel marks. Experience would tell me now not to attempt something so delicate.

Who is your inspiration?

I will mention one artist in particular: a painter who spent more than forty‑five years painting the same jars, jugs, and bottles over and over again. There is something about this that I find fascinating and deeply inspiring. Perhaps in another life I might have done the same. His paintings, to me, are pure music. His name was Giorgio Morandi.

What advice would you give someone who is considering this craft career?

Action is your best friend.

Where do you get your inspiration?

From everywhere internal and external

What’s the most challenging part of your craft?

Well maybe I could tell you about my first public commission.
I was awarded a public commission in my local town and given full artistic freedom to create whatever I wished.

I ordered a 1.7‑tonne block of stone and, over an eight‑month period, transformed it into an interactive musical sculpture. The sculpture was largely improvised, although I made four clay models throughout the course of the project. Each time I brought the stone to the stage reflected in the clay model, I created a new model and pushed the sculpture further. Throughout this process, many happy accidents occurred in the sculpting work.

The entire project was quite a challenge and an enormous learning experience for me. When the work was finished—or at least when I thought it was—the musical bars I had incorporated were made of stone. However, after installation, I quickly learned that they were not suitable for public use, as the stone was too brittle. I had to find an alternative. After some research and further trial and error, I decided on aluminium, a material I had no previous experience working with. After two months, I had a new set of aluminium musical bars, which I also had anodised.

This artwork has been installed since 2021 and is very much loved by the community.

Is sustainability an important aspect of your business?

It is something I am always conscious of.

What made you choose your discipline?

My love of art and music.

Have you ever had a “happy accident” while making something?

Yes, I have found this happens most frequently when you don’t know what you are doing or taking risks.

How do you balance creativity with the business side of things?

I see these two as polar opposite ways of thinking and I find it difficult to balance them.

What would you say to anyone thinking of becoming a DCCI member

Go for it.