Tom Perkins FSDC

Tom has had a lifelong interest in exploring subtle variations of letter form which he uses widely in his own work for exhibition and in commissions. An early study of calligraphy has given him an appreciation of the rhythm and movement of written forms. When transferred to other ways of making letterforms, such as in letter carving in stone, these characteristics can provide an antidote to the increasingly mechanistic letters so prevalent today. We need the intimate and human qualities which the use of simple tools in direct contact with stone, wood, paper can give; we now, more than ever, need to make letters live.

After studying calligraphy at Reigate School of Art & Design in the 1970's, Tom spent a year letter carving with Richard Kindersley. Tom has run his own workshop since that time, and taught lettering widely including at the Roehampton Institute ( now University) 1982-97, in Europe, the U.S. and Japan and has taught a number of successful letter carvers in his workshop.

He is a fellow of the SDC, the Royal Society of Arts, the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society, Temenos Academy, and an elected member of Letter Exchange. His book 'The Art of Letter Carving in Stone' was published by the Crowood Press in 1997 and his work has been shown in many group exhibitions and publications.

Commissions include the opening plaque for the refurbished Queen's Gallery, London., and lettering designed for the gallery fascia, a metal lettered frieze outside St Martin-in-the-Fields , and many others including for Boots Millennium Herb Garden, Ely Cathedral, Wymondham Abbey, Sheffield Peace Gardens, the British Museum and Kensington Palace, Chelsea Barracks.