Tom Merrifield

Born in 1932 in Sydney, Australia, Tom Merrifield trained as a classical dancer and at the age of sixteen became the youngest lead soloist with the Borovansky Ballet. Three years later he moved to Britain where he danced with the English National Ballet, enjoying an incredibly successful career in this challenging discipline. Throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s Tom was principal dancer in many of the most successful West End musicals to date including ‘On The Town’, ‘West Side Story’ and ‘Showboat’ and at the pinnacle of his career was the highest paid dancer in the UK. During this distinguished and rewarding career, Tom began drawing and sculpting without any formal art training and eventually took this up as a full-time occupation, looking back only for inspiration in his new passion. He has since gone on to be formally recognised as a major artist and one of the finest sculptors of his generation, being given the incredible accolade of ARBS for Distinction in the Art of Sculpture by the Royal Society of British Sculptors. In 1976 Tom was commissioned by the Society for West End Theatres to create the sculpture given to the winners of The Olivier Awards (then named the SWET Awards). For the next eight years he would spend months preparing the numerous pieces required for each ceremony which so many of theatre’s top talent now hold in pride of place on their mantelpieces. Possibly the most poignant of sculptures Tom has created is that depicting Diana, Princess of Wales. Having met and connected instantly with the Princess long before she died, Tom was considered by the British Red Cross to be best suited to create an exquisite bust of their former patron; now displayed at the Red Cross headquarters in London. Tom has gone on to become internationally celebrated for the power and beauty of his sculptures, many of which now grace prominent public spaces around the world. He has also been awarded substantial, lucrative commissions by the likes of Hilton Group, Speedo, The British Red Cross and Reebok. Some of his works depict famous dancers, including Alina Cojocaru, Dame Alicia Markova, Dame Beryl Grey, Natalia Makarova, Marguerite Porter, Ivan Nagy, and the Olympic Skater John Curry. Tom passed away in 2021 and this sale, consigned by his Executors, includes many of his favourite pieces which were in the garden of his home in Hampstead providing a unique opportunity to acquire works by one of Britain’s leading sculptors.

Garden ornament

Garden sculpture