Tom LEAPER
Tom is one of the sons of the late Eric LEAPER, a potter of Newlyn. He grew up near the Iron Age village of Carn Euny. After undertaking a Foundation course at Falmouth School of Art, Tom completed a BA in Fine Art in Manchester, then returned home to west Penwith.
A conceptual artist, Tom has worked with Penzance Town Council on various projects to upgrade the street environment of the town including attention to the materials used for amenities such as benches, statuary, and a series of way markers for local heritage trails.
A miniature of his bronze sculpture 'Memorial to Lost Fishermen', which is located behind the Newlyn Art Gallery on Newlyn Green (unveiled by Princess Anne in 2007), was presented by its creator to a French museum in 2011. Newlyn and Concarneau are twinned villages and both feature strongly in the history of art as well as the history and present-day life of fishing ports.
media
Sculptor, conceptual artist
works and access
'Memorial to Lost Fishermen' (bronze) - Newlyn Green
'Sun and Sail' (bronze, stainless steel, gold leaf) - The Old Coastguard Hotel, Mousehole
Bronze cast of Mexican agave plant -Tresco Abbey Gardens
exhibitions
2016: 'Take 5 Artists', Crypt Gallery, St Ives (2-15 Apr)
2018: 'October 6', Penwith Gallery, St Ives (6 Oct-3 Nov)
2019: Summerhouse Gallery, Marazion (Nov)
2022: Mount to Moor : Stanking up Dingers, Penwith Gallery, St Ives (14 May-12 June)
2022: A Story of Winter, Summerhouse Gallery, Marazion (Dec)
2023: Penwith Gallery, St Ives (16 June-15 July)
2023: Raw Materials, Summerhouse Gallery (28 July-11 Aug)
2024: Big Country, Penwith Gallery, St Ives (17 May-15 June)
memberships
STISA (2018)
references
CACD On-line Cornwall Arts and Crafts Directory (photo likeness) and description of work
Cornishman (18 Aug 2011) 'Newlyn Sculpture will be given to Bretons'
Cornwall Today (December 2013) 'Sun and Sail' by Alex Wade