Mackenzie Thorpe: A Journey of Art from the Heart
Mackenzie Thorpe, a British contemporary artist born in 1956, has made a significant impact on the art world with his unique abstract style and heartfelt depictions of animals and children. His work, described as "Art from the Heart," has garnered international recognition and a dedicated following of collectors.
Early Life and Education
Born in Middlesbrough, Thorpe grew up as the first of seven children in a working-class family. Despite struggling with dyslexia, he discovered a passion for art at a young age. After initially working in the local shipyards, Thorpe enrolled at the Cleveland College of Art and Design in 1977, where he flourished under the guidance of Tom Wall. He later graduated from the Byam Shaw School of Art in London in 1982.
Artistic Development and Style
Thorpe's artistic style evolved into abstract depictions of animals and children, often conveying emotions of love, hope, and the human spirit. His work ranges from accessible "square sheep" and "duffle coat boys" to more challenging pieces focusing on isolation and man's struggle. Thorpe's childhood experiences in Middlesbrough heavily influence his subject matter.
Career Highlights and Achievements
In 1989, Thorpe became a full-time artist and opened the Mackenzie Thorpe Arthaus gallery in Richmond, North Yorkshire. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including an honorary Master of Arts degree from Teesside University in 2000 and an honorary professorship from Seisa University in Japan in 2019. Thorpe celebrated his 30th anniversary as an artist in 2019 with a world tour, "From the Heart," and was appointed as the official artist for the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire and the Chelsea Flower Show.
Celebrity Collectors and Commissions
Thorpe's work is collected by notable figures such as actor Tom Hardy, author JK Rowling, and Queen Elizabeth II. He has also undertaken prestigious commissions for clients such as the Andre Agassi Foundation, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Princess Anne, and William Hague.
Contributions to the Art Community
In 2005, the Mackenzie Thorpe Foundation was launched to support worthy causes. Thorpe's influence has been credited with changing the face of art publishing within the UK, paving the way for other artists who have followed in his footsteps.
Legacy and Impact
Thorpe's work continues to be widely collected and sought-after worldwide, with followers spanning from Yorkshire to Chicago and Japan. His lasting influence on the art world is evident through his iconic "Square Sheep," "Duffle Coat Child," "Big Heads," "Love," and "Industrial" artwork series.
Mackenzie Thorpe's journey as an artist has been characterised by his unique abstract style, heartfelt subject matter, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His enduring legacy in the art world is a testament to his talent, dedication, and the universal appeal of his "Art from the Heart" philosophy.
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The new limited edition 'The Power Of Love' is Mackenzie's ❤️ latest offering for St. Valentine's Day and also a great reminder of the force that binds the whole world together. Huge, mighty and indomitable, it emerges from the horizon above the forest, like the proverbial Phoenix from the flame, as our two lovers look on arm in arm.
An uplifting and rich painting reflecting love and happiness through Thorpe's hand, for this most romantic of days. Instantly the Frankie Goes To Hollywood song plays in your head 'The Power Of Love,' released way back in 1984 and emerged post the New Romantics music era; perhaps this song influenced Mackenzie as he painted this new limited edition print. - 29th January 2021
What a happy occasion and breath of happiness, seeing the launch of the Mackenzie Thorpe - Christmas Releases 2020, two stunning releases for Winter called: 'At Last' and 'Winter Frost.' Both are classic Thorpe artworks, as he reminds us of the joys of Christmas, the comfort of Hope and of course the unbreakable Father-Son bond that Mackenzie revisits often. - 11th November 2020
I am delighted to the see the release of Mackenzie's latest Book: 'Paintings From The Kitchen Table' and two new limited edition prints: 'Everyday's A Sunday' (which is also on the book cover) and 'Day After Day (Just Like The Crows)' - 30th October 2020.
The book chronicles the artist working from home during the lockdown's of 2020 and him sketching and painting much smaller artwork - of course at the 'kitchen table!'
Initially thinking it would be a small series of works, but as the lockdown increased into many months Mackenzie decided to sit down and create this book, which is very much his emotional journey during this time; the two prints: 'Everyday's A Sunday' and 'Day After Day (Just Like The Crows) are directly from this time period, which turned out to be a very creative one for the Thorpe!
These fantastic football related releases are here: 'We Are The Champions' And 'We Are The Reds' dual limited editions releases to celebrate Liverpool FC winning their 19th title as Winners of Englands Premier League and their first in 30 years! - Summer 2020
Hot on the heels of last year's best selling Liverpool Football Club image: 'Shankly Gates' - one of 2019's best selling limited editions.
An amazing new sculpture 'Feed The Birds (Red) resin - sculpture' is finally here & a much called for sculpture after the ground breaking success of the Limited Edition Print and Parian Sculpture of the same name! - July 2020
7th May 2020 sees the release of the limited edition print: 'Just The Two Of Us,' a welcome return to the recent Mackenzie Thorpe ‘Water’s Edge’ - series and exploring the meanings of the relationships we have with each other, and the healing qualities of nature.
Just in time for Christmas, 12th Dec 2019 sees the special limited edition release: 'Shankly Gates,' with a father and son (in Liverpool FC football kit) in front of the iconic structure at Anfield Football Stadium; another entry into the Mackenzie Thorpe ‘Father & Son’ - series.
**Mackenzie discusses 'Shankly Gates,' Liverpool & donating 15 remarqued copies, raising funds for Variety Children's Charity:
From humble beginnings, Mackenzie Thorpe has gone on to achieve worldwide success and huge accolades’, becoming one of Britain’s biggest selling artists of the last three decades. Love and hope are the foundations of Mackenzie’s art found throughout his work, whether reminiscing on his working-class industrial heritage or in landscape depictions.
Born in 1956, Mackenzie was the eldest of seven children. He grew up playing in the streets and back alleys of terraced houses around his home in Middlesbrough. Many derelict houses, bombed in the Second World War provided a playground for Mackenzie and his friends. His attraction to drawing and painting became obvious from an early age and he used whatever he could find to create art. Life for most people was about struggle and survival, but his was always to draw.
**Time lapse video of a Mackenzie watercolour, very similar in composition to 'Whispering Waters' (2018):
Art wasn’t Mackenzie’s initial career choice, instead working in the local shipyards to begin with. However after some encouragement from a friend, in 1977 he applied to study at Cleveland College of Art and Design, going on to study for and achieve a Fine Art BA by 1982 at Byam Shaw College of Art in London. 7 years later, he moved from London to Richmond, North Yorkshire, to open the Mackenzie Thorpe Arthaus gallery, going on to receive an honorary degree and professorship from Teesside University in 2000 and Seisa University in Japan in 2019 respectively.
Mackenzie first found fame with his now iconic “Square Sheep”, but has now established an extended range of sought after and well loved series such as “Big Heads”, “Duffle Coat Child”, “Love” and without doubt his “Industrial” artwork harking back to his Middlesbrough roots.
2019 represented 30 years in the business, and throughout his career he has achieved global success in galleries around the world, with celebrity collectors of his work including Tom Hardy, JK Rowling and HM Queen Elizabeth II also a fan of his work. A new sculpture to mark the occasion was unveiled at the Tees Transporter Bridge, a fitting tribute to Mackenzie in that the industrial background for the piece being where he once worked.
Not only was 2019 a big year in representing his length of career, it is also the year where Mackenzie was the official artist of the Tour de Yorkshire 2019, as well as being bestowed the honour of official artist of the 2019 Welcome to Yorkshire garden, and created a piece specifically for this event titled ‘Under The Moon And Stars’, capturing the unique sense of magic on a summer evening in Yorkshire.
An avid charity supporter, Mackenzie uses his art to regularly support local and national charities, with his work relating to important issues such as hope, loneliness and disadvantaged children.
