Born in Newlyn into a family of studio potters, Tom Leaper developed his own artistic style while working in the pottery before going on to study sculpture. He’s worked in Cornwall for the past 35 years and its culture and landscape imbues all that he creates. Leaper’s practice involves large scale public projects and private commissions alongside his studio work. Being involved in his community is very important; Leaper has worked closely with local charities and organisations, firmly feeling that art is for all to enjoy.

Over the years, Tom has become a skilled metalworker, working with sheet bronze, stainless steel, and copper, as well as using solid casting techniques in bronze and iron. He has embraced cutting-edge design processes to enhance his traditional fabrication methods, incorporating materials and technologies such as fibreglass, vacuum moulding, drone site-mapping, and AutoCAD design. Often, he begins by modelling a sculpture in clay, then 3D-scans it for digital enlargement and milling in high-density foam before casting it in metal at a larger scale. This process allows him to retain the unique qualities of hand-formed sculpture while achieving an impressive scale.