If you are looking for inspirational paintings and sculpture with warmth and nostalgia, then why not spend the evening with BBC featured British artist, Mackenzie Thorpe at Hepplestone Fine Art, Chorley on Thursday, July 4th 2019, 7- 9pm.
It's 1956 in the post-war industrial town of Middlesbrough, and Mackenzie Thorpe is the first born of seven children into a working class family, destined for a career in the shipyards. Struggling through school with dyslexia, regularly misunderstood and reminded that he would never get a job because all he could do was 'draw', Mackenzie left school without any qualifications and began his career working with his dad on the docks.
Determined and passionate, his first love of drawing and painting beckoned and by 1977, encouraged by a friend, Mackenzie took the brave decision to leave the shipyards and apply to study at Cleveland College of Art and Design. Two years later, with an obvious talent, Mackenzie left his beloved North East and continued his studies at the Byam Shaw College of Art in London, graduating in 1982 with a Fine Arts degree. He remained in the capital to aid disadvantaged children until 1989 then returned with his family to the North East motivated by a desire to provide a better environment for his children to grow up in.
In 2000 Thorpe was awarded an Honorary Master of Arts degree from Teesside University, and in 2005 launched the Mackenzie Thorpe Foundation to support good causes. Mackenzie regularly visits schools, inspiring children to follow their dreams by reiterating his own childhood experiences and achievements.
Love and hope are key symbols in Mackenzie's art, whether they are depicted in the nostalgic pride of his industrial heritage or dream-like skyscapes and landscapes. His works are associated with a principle 'Art from the Heart' combining tenderness with fervency through his abstract depictions of animals and children. His work is wide ranging from the accessible square sheep and duffle coat boys to more challenging work focusing on isolation and man's struggle. As you would expect, most of his work depicts his childhood growing up in Middlesbrough.
Celebrating 30 years as the artistic voice of a generation, Mackenzie Thorpe is one of Britain's biggest selling artists. He has achieved global success in galleries throughout the UK, America, Japan and Australia while celebrity collectors include JK Rowling, Tom Hardy and Queen Elizabeth II. His work remains rooted in authenticity, embodied in emotional expression and always carries a message of hope. Mackenzie's journey has taken him from the shipyards of Middlesbrough to internationally acclaimed artist, and his working-class roots in the north of England inspire his atmospheric and poignant pictures.
This year Mackenzie was selected as the official artist to the Tour de Yorkshire and produced four stunning new pieces to celebrate this prestigious event. Limited edition prints from the Tour de Yorkshire will be available at the event, together with Mackenzie's original artwork and a range of his latest edition prints and sculptures.
For an invitation to meet Mackenzie in person between 7-9pm on July 4th 2019, call the gallery on 01257 451121 or email sales@hepplestonefineart.com.
