Robert Thomas (sculptor)
Encyclopedia
Robert Thomas was a Welsh
sculptor born in Cwmparc
in the Rhondda Valley
. He is best known for his work in bronze sculptures, many of which are on public display. He was one of the members of the 'Rhondda Group'.
in London and lived there until 1971. Between 1953 and 1971 he taught at various art schools including Gravesend, Maidenhead and Ealing
before returning to Wales to live in Barry. Thomas received his first major commission in 1965, creating a bust of then Secretary of State for Wales
, Jim Griffiths
. This was followed by works of Lord Edmund Davies
and Welsh comic and entertainer Ryan Davies
.
Thomas received several commissions that are now public works of art, with permanent residency in major city centres. These include Hebe in Birmingham city centre (at 52.484438°N 1.892175°W) and Aneurin Bevan in Cardiff. He has also produced busts, one of which, again of Aneurin Bevan, is located in the Houses of Parliament
.
In 1999 one of Thomas' last works was unveiled, a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel
in Neyland, unveiled by Prince Charles. The bronze statue required a sum of £30,000 from a local committee.
Additionally, there is a bronze sculpture called The Girl at Gorsedd Gardens, opposite the National Museum.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
sculptor born in Cwmparc
Cwmparc
Cwmparc is a village and a district of the community of Treorchy, in the Rhondda Valley, Wales.- History :Early legends tell of a medieval park, or hunting preserve, in the area called Parc Cwm Brychiniog, which was subsequently made into four farms in Tudor times, one of which was called Parc...
in the Rhondda Valley
Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley , is a former coal mining valley in Wales, formerly a local government district, consisting of 16 communities built around the River Rhondda. The valley is made up of two valleys, the larger Rhondda Fawr valley and the smaller Rhondda Fach valley...
. He is best known for his work in bronze sculptures, many of which are on public display. He was one of the members of the 'Rhondda Group'.
Life history
Having attended the Cardiff School of Art in the late 1940s, Thomas gained entry to the Royal College of ArtRoyal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
in London and lived there until 1971. Between 1953 and 1971 he taught at various art schools including Gravesend, Maidenhead and Ealing
Ealing Art College
Ealing Art College was 'Ealing Technical College & School of Art', a further education institution on St Mary's Road, Ealing, London, England. The site today is the Ealing campus of University of West London...
before returning to Wales to live in Barry. Thomas received his first major commission in 1965, creating a bust of then Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Wales
The Secretary of State for Wales is the head of the Wales Office within the British cabinet. He or she is responsible for ensuring Welsh interests are taken into account by the government, representing the government within Wales and overseeing the passing of legislation which is only for Wales...
, Jim Griffiths
Jim Griffiths
James "Jim" Griffiths CH , was a Welsh Labour politician, trade union leader and the first ever Secretary of State for Wales.-Background and education:...
. This was followed by works of Lord Edmund Davies
Edmund Davies, Baron Edmund-Davies
Herbert Edmund Edmund-Davies, Baron Edmund-Davies, PC was a British judge.Born Herbert Edmund Davies at Mountain Ash in Mid Glamorgan, he was the third son of Morgan John Davies and Elizabeth Maud Edmunds...
and Welsh comic and entertainer Ryan Davies
Ryan Davies
Ryan Davies was a popular Welsh entertainer of the 1960s and 1970s. He was born in the Carmarthenshire village of Glanamman in the Black Mountain, Wales, and was educated in Bangor and at the Central School of Speech and Drama. His first professional appearance was in the National Eisteddfod of...
.
Thomas received several commissions that are now public works of art, with permanent residency in major city centres. These include Hebe in Birmingham city centre (at 52.484438°N 1.892175°W) and Aneurin Bevan in Cardiff. He has also produced busts, one of which, again of Aneurin Bevan, is located in the Houses of Parliament
Palace of Westminster
The Palace of Westminster, also known as the Houses of Parliament or Westminster Palace, is the meeting place of the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom—the House of Lords and the House of Commons...
.
In 1999 one of Thomas' last works was unveiled, a statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, FRS , was a British civil engineer who built bridges and dockyards including the construction of the first major British railway, the Great Western Railway; a series of steamships, including the first propeller-driven transatlantic steamship; and numerous important bridges...
in Neyland, unveiled by Prince Charles. The bronze statue required a sum of £30,000 from a local committee.
Cardiff Sculptures
Robert Thomas sculptures are prominently displayed in Cardiff Queen Street, in the heart of the Welsh capital's shopping district. He has four on display there (i) Nye Bevan (at the head of Queen Street, opposite the Castle); (ii) Mother and Son; (iii) The Family; and (iv) The Miner.Additionally, there is a bronze sculpture called The Girl at Gorsedd Gardens, opposite the National Museum.