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originally published: 07/09/2022

(STONE HARBOR, NJ) -- Mackenzie Thorpe “Love Across the Sea”, houses an impressive collection of internationally renowned fine artist Mackenzie Thorpe. These works will be on exhibition and available for acquisition at Ocean Galleries, Stone Harbor’s premier Fine Art Gallery. Two special in-person Meet-the-Artist appearances are scheduled: Friday, July 22 from 6:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday, July 23 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Mackenzie Thorpe and experience his extraordinary art. Artwork is available for acquisition and all appearances are complimentary and open to the public.

RSVPs are strongly suggested. Click HERE to RSVP through Eventbrite.   

“My ambition is to unite the world through the eyes of these children and let today’s cultures understand that in order to sustain our societies, we must protect and nurture our children, and protect and nurture the child within us all. It is our responsibility to love these children, to let them bring love back to the world, and to keep our eyes open to the wonderment of childhood.” — Mackenzie Thorpe

Born in 1956, Mackenzie Thorpe was raised in the industrial town of Middlesbrough in the 1950s, where his father worked as a laborer and his mother as an auxiliary nurse.  Life for the Thorpe family was no different to that of most of their community – at times a struggle. Mackenzie acknowledges mixed emotions about this period in his life.  He remembers the strong feeling of community spirit, the warmth and humor that flourished in the face of adversity, as well as the loneliness and isolation.

The need and compulsion to draw was obvious from an early age and remains with Mackenzie today.  As a child, he would seek out whatever raw materials he could find, drawing on cigarette packs with stubs of pencils, or using eyeshadow and lipstick illicitly obtained from his mum’s makeup bag.  Struggling from dyslexia throughout his childhood, Mackenzie found confidence in painting and drawing.  Unsurprisingly, he left school without formal qualifications, taking on a variety of manual, unskilled jobs while continuing to draw and paint.

 

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Mackenzie eventually got the courage to enter the local art college.  His lack of education and a barely readable application did nothing to warrant support, but the strength and volume of work that Mackenzie presented, coupled with his enthusiasm and commitment, won him a place at the Middlesbrough College of Art and, subsequently, the Byam Shaw School of Art in London.

After leaving art school, he spent several years working with inner-city children in London before moving to North Yorkshire to set up a studio, as well as his own gallery with his wife, Susan, and children, Owen and Chloe.  Since then, he has become one of the world's most collected and sought-after artists.  His works express an entire range of human emotion, from the special bond of love and friendship to the importance of self-reflection and individual triumphs.  His works are a tribute to the creativity within us all and are a vivid expression of hope and the human spirit.

Mackenzie's perspective on life is clear.  He doesn’t hide the fact that often life is a struggle, a dark tunnel which can seem endless.  However, he passionately believes that our frail dreams are worth nurturing and that love, and honesty will triumph over adversity.

Mackenzie Thorpe is one of the biggest selling British artists of the last 30 years. His work is rooted in authenticity, embodied in emotional expression, and always carries a message of hope. His journey has taken him from the shipyards of Middlesbrough to internationally acclaimed artist, and his working-class roots in the north of England inspire his atmospheric and poignant pictures. 

Love and hope are key symbols in Mackenzie’s art, whether they are depicted in the nostalgic pride of his industrial heritage or dream-like skyscapes and landscapes.

Celebrating 30 years in the business in 2019, Mackenzie continues to blaze a trail for the artists who have followed in his footsteps. He will mark the year with a major retrospective, world tour to connect with his community of collectors and hear about their personal connection to his work.

Mackenzie uses his art to regularly support local and national charities. All his charitable work relates back to important issues depicted in his art such as disadvantaged children, loneliness, and hope.

Ocean Galleries is located at 9618 3rd Avenue in Stone Harbor, New Jersey.

IMAGES: (TOP TO BOTTOM) "When I Caught Love"; "When You're Smiling"; "Starry Starry Night"; and "We Cross The Sea".  All images by Mackenzie Thorpe