Canadian born artist Thomas McPhee is largely self-taught. He attended various art schools, but he acquired most of his art education from studying the collections in museums and galleries through out Europe. Inspired by miniature carvings, he created small-scale works in wax that were used by goldsmiths to make jewelry.
Finding that too limiting, he discovered greater latitude in creating work in Mastodon and Mammoth ivory, which then lead to carving gems; admiring their durability, color, translucency and permanence. He has gained an international reputation for his unique small scale works and is represented in collections worldwide.
Thomas: âThe source for my inspiration in using gemstones as the primary vehicle for my expression, lies in their intrinsic quality, permanence, beauty and purity. This allows me to instill in my work, the sculpted qualities of a highly refined perfection of form, resulting in objects that transcend the here and now, creating a hopeful sense of the eternal totality of oneâs existence.â
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