Mackenzie Thorpe
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Mackenzie Thorpe (born 1956 in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire) is a British artist.
Born as the first of seven children into the post-war industrial town, Thorpe initially took on work in the shipyards, such were his familial origins. A suggestion from a friend, however, encouraged him to try to pursue his first love, drawing and painting, at art school.
Thorpe applied in 1977 to study at the local Cleveland College of Art, leaving two years later for the Byam Shaw College of Art in London, and a fine arts degree. Post-graduation in 1982 he remained in the capital to the aid of disadvantaged children but, disenchanted, returned to the North East in 1989. There, he set up the 'Arthaus', a gallery and art materials store in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
His works are associated with a principle of "Art from the heart" - combining tenderness with fervency through his abstract depictions of animals and children. His interpretations of "square sheep" and bulbously-headed infants carry with them profound colouring and sweeping lines. They are known, too, for their immediacy, such that Thorpe was awarded the title of best-selling artist in England in 2000.
In 1999, Thorpe was called upon to produce five official Christmas cards for the then Conservative politician and party leader, William Hague. Other plaudits include the award of 'Best published Artist' from the Fine Art Trade Guild.
Thorpe also holds an honorary Master of Arts degree, collected in 2000 from his hometown's University of Teesside. In addition, Thorpe's and Arthaus' wish to support 'good causes' culminated in the launch of the Mackenzie Thorpe Foundation, in 2005.
[edit] External links
- Mackenzie Thorpe Artwork - A complete list of all his available artwork
