Tom Hamer
Born in Victoria, Tom was fascinated with wildlife, especially waterfowl, from his childhood days. He soon began to draw animals and birds as an outlet for his intensely creative energies. Artist Joyce Swannell lived next door and Tom spent many hours in her studio studying her painting style and learning from her technique. At the age of 20, his family moved to Salt Spring Island where his father raised horses and started a successful riding school. Tom took a job with BC Ferry Corp. He also joined the Salt Spring Island Fire Department as a volunteer fire fighter.
An unexpected turn of events changed Tom’s life and opened a new chapter. A dramatic injury while fighting a fire left him convalescing with several cracked ribs and severe bruising. With time on his hands, Tom took a workshop in stone carving with the internationally known Inuit carver Abraham Anghik. At last he had discovered the medium that satisfied all his creative urges. Tom took to carving stone with intense concentration and rapidly developed his own style.
Tom’s powerful stone sculptures combine beauty and grace with distinctive poses. His work is outstanding.
