Tom Maley

The impetus for my work lies in design and build, whether that be; sculptural, architectural or engineering.

My father encouraged his children to pursue their talents and encouraged me to believe that I could do anything if I was determined enough. He was a talented sculptor in his own right but was more interested in teaching others how to develope their own talents and so I started sculpting as a child mostly copying what my father was doing, the best way to learn.

As a young boy I would sketch recreationally, perhaps the most pivotal moment for me being the discovery of the drawings of Michelangelo and Leonardo.

Although my drawing talents were acknowledged during my teens by various art teachers, I decided not to pursue a formal art education, choosing a career in design engineering. This allowed me to develop the all round skills of the renaissance artists I so admired. I thus continued on a self taught basis with my artistic studies.

In my early years I continued to draw and started to carve stone, but my sculpting really began when I discovered modelling with clay.

The clay modelling became an obsession with me and I very quickly started producing portraits. I was soon producing life-size figures modelled, moulded and cast. This resulted in several civic commissions and lead to my first solo exhibition.
Present projects include my ongoing `Pop Art` series entitled `The Return of 1carus` and future projects will include the `Launderette` a contemporary take on Supernatural Delusion.