Karen and Jane have long admired Thomas Joynes, with Karen proudly displaying one of his sculptural pieces in her garden. Represented by Helen Chislett Gallery, Thomas Joynes first discovered his love of making as a boy when he explored the woodlands of rural Essex, using his hands to craft bows and arrows, and tree houses. During his Foundation course, he was drawn to working with Plaster of Paris – casting, moulding and carving large solid blocks of it. He then studied at the Norwich University of the Arts, later assisting in the studio of Angela Conner before launching his own studio.

Thomas’s work is clearly influenced by 20th -century masters, such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Constantin Brancusi, Jean Arp and Naum Gabo, but to these he brings his own sense of movement and dynamism. Major projects include public art commissions, such as a three-metre high bronze sculpture for a Metro station in Hong Kong and a bronze for the Crown Estate (the original Aurora). Functional sculpture projects include a set of bespoke gates and a three-metre wide, wall-hung, contemporary sundial.

Most usually his work is commissioned for outside locations, such as gardens, courtyards and landscapes but increasingly he has turned his attention towards work that sits happily within an interiors scheme, using lavish materials and finishes such as polished bronze and 24ct gold gilding.

Thomas is available for bespoke commissions and his pieces are available to purchase via Howes & Landino and Helen Chislett Gallery.