Tom Merrifield - Biography

(1932-). Born in Sydney, Australia. Merrifield trained as a classical dancer, becoming a soloist with the Borovonsky Ballet at the age of sixteen and later a dancer in musical theatre. He moved to Britain in 1956 where he was principal dancer in 'Cinderella' at the London Coliseum and subsequently appeared in many other stage shows and in film and television. During film engagements, including 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'Half A Sixpence' he began drawing fellow dancers and exhibited these drawings at a West End gallery. Whilst appearing at the Adelphi Theatre as principal dancer in 'Showboat' he began to experiment with sculpture. On leaving the stage, Merrifield took up sculpture full-time and has subsequently sculpted many of the world's most famous dancers, including Alicia Markova, Beryl Grey, Natalia Makarova, Antoinette Sibley, Eva Evdokimova, Galina Samsova, Marion Tait, Anton Dolin, John Gilpin, Anthony Dowell, Ivan Nagy, Peter Schaufuss, Wayne Sleep, Ken Wells, Agnes Oaks, Thomas Edur amongst others. His work has been recognized by the Royal Society of British Sculptors who elected him ARBS for 'Distinction in the Art of Sculpture'. Other work includes the bust of Diana, Princess of Wales, commissioned after her death by the British Red Cross, and in their London Headquarters; work at the Royal Festival Hall, London; the Hilton Hotel, Malta; the Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, Australia; in Basingstoke town centre; the Mendel Centre for Arts, Michigan, USA; Chichester Festival Theatre; the Kinetic Centre, Borehamwood; the Playhouse Theatre, Epsom; Compton Acres Gardens, Poole. Merrifield lives and has a studio in Hampstead. (Source: artist's website)

The works of Tom Merrifield: