Andrew Thomas SWAc
Andrew Thomas is a sculptor based in the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. Working primarily in wood and bronze for almost four decades, he brings traditional craftsmanship into dialogue with a precise sense of form, balance, and surface. Trained under master sculptor Ian Norbury, Thomas developed a disciplined approach to carving that underpins a distinct visual language: refined in line, assured in structure, and sensitive to the relationship between mass and space.
A full member of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts, he has exhibited widely across the UK at Royal Academies, international art fairs, and leading galleries. His work is held in private collections in the UK and internationally, and has received awards recognising both technical accomplishment and originality.
Thomas’s most recent practice is shaped by landscape and by an enduring interest in the deeper questions of being. Whether abstract, symbolic, or figurative, the sculptures hold a calm intensity—forms that feel considered and grounded, embodying presence and permanence.
"I discovered sculpture in my early twenties, drawn to the possibilities of translating observation into form. From figurative studies to abstract explorations, this work honed my technical skill, refined my understanding of design, and shaped a visual language that balances precision with expression. Early influences included Art Deco and Cubism, and artists such as Picasso, Archipenko, Lipchitz, and Brancusi.
Over nearly four decades, my practice has grown to explore the deeper questions of existence. Inspired by Eastern philosophies and thinkers such as Alan Watts and Aldous Huxley, I pursue insights into the rhythms, structures, and forces that underpin life.
I enjoy the challenge of working with the dense medium of wood, carving it to uncover the inherent potential within each piece, and cast these forms in bronze, giving permanence to gestures shaped by material, design, and observation. Across figurative, symbolic, and abstract works, my sculptures hold presence, weight, and quiet authority, inviting reflection on continuity, transformation, and the hidden energies that shape both form and being."
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"At the core of Pure-Art lies an enigmatic essence—the soul, the life force, the innermost being or nature—imbued within its very fabric by the artist's conscious intention. It embodies a purpose beyond mere ornamentation, transcending the superficial to evoke deeper emotions and provoke profound thought. Pure-Art thrives on the allure of the mysterious, inviting viewers into a realm where the tangible and intangible merge seamlessly. It serves as a conduit for conveying profound ideas, emotions, and messages, reaching beyond the ordinary to touch the soul and enrich the human experience. With each brushstroke or sculpted form, Pure-Art captivates with its mysterious allure, leaving an indelible mark on those who encounter its transcendent beauty."
