Tom Perkins

My approach to teaching letter carving in stone is mainly by one to one demonstration and guidance. I like to introduce the subject with a slide lecture of contemporary letter carving work, including some of my own. Assistance with drawing and designing letters is available as required during letter carving courses- though the importance of this aspect is seldom recognised!

Students will gain some idea of the 20th century tradition of letter carving initiated by Eric Gill, and practical experience of the technique of ‘V’ incising letters in slate and stone. Those with previous letter carving experience will refine their carving technique, as necessary, and gain further experience with drawing letters and designing for carving as required on an individual basis.

My main inspiration has been the tradition initiated by Eric Gill and calligrapher Edward Johnston during the first half of the 20th century. Edward Johnston stated that ‘within the limits of the craft we cannot have too much freedom’ - traditions can be refined and changed and that is all part of a natural evolutionary process.

Examples of my work can be seen at St Martin-in-the Fields, Trafalgar Square - poem by Andrew Motion depicted with cast metal letters , internal and external signs for the new Crafts Study Centre, Surrey Institute of Art & Design, Farnham, Surrey, five standing stones at approximately 15 mile intervals along the Peddars Way, Norfolk, West Dean grounds ( parts of 2009 letter carving exhibition).

I trained at Reigate School of Art & Design, in calligraphy, followed by one year as as sistant to Richard Kindersley in London.

My main teaching experience has been teaching calligraphy, drawn lettering and letter carving in stone at The Roehampton Institute from 1982-1997, also teaching short courses in England, at The Prince’s Foundation, for the Memorial Arts Charity, and also in the U.S.A and Japan.

My work is in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge/ the Crafts Study Centre, Farnham, and I several private collections.

The Edward Johnston foundation produced a monograph of my work in 1998,: ‘Tom Perkins, Letter Carver, with an introduction by Gerald Fleuss. ‘The Art of Letter Carving in Stone’published by the Crowood Press, 2007. Article on my theory of the geometry of Roman letters in the Edward Johnston Foundation exhibition catalogue ‘Font’, 2000. Article ‘Calligraphy as a basis for letter design’ in the ‘Calligraphers Handbook’ ed. Heather Child, published 1985 A & C Black.

I am a fellow of the Society of Designer-Craftsmen, of the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society, Temenos Academy, The Royal Society of Arts, member of the Art Workers Guild and Letter Exchange.