Thrussell & Thrussell
Artist Metalsmith
Portfolio 2012
Selected images for Weymouth Gateway Project
Artist Metalsmiths: Gary and Thomas Thrussell (Father and son)
As Artist Metalsmiths we follow a line of metal workers and engineers; we have taken this
family background to a more creative level and draw our inspiration from nature and
cultural heritage.
Gary became self-employed in 1987, producing small sculptures for private collectors using
his metal working knowledge. After setting up a new studio on Bodmin Moor Gary and
Thomas have moved into the public realm, as Thrussell and Thrussell. Our name is a symbol
of our pride in our heritage.
With a family background dating back to colonial India in Pune, our granddad Thomas
Thrussell was an engineer for the civil service. Following in his footsteps came Frank
Thrussell, engineer in the British Army (R.E.M.E). Frank’s son Gary trained as an engineer in a
foundry and Gary’s son Thomas trained in metal fabrication to join his father and focus on a
new business specialising in public art.
We work in mild steel, copper and stainless steel using forging, welding and sheet metal
working processes. We produce public art and our own collections of organic sculptures.
We feel ownership by the community is essential and very important in our work, which can
now be found nationwide in public spaces, schools and museums.
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2012, Carharrack Cornwall - park entrance archway. Design inspired by the local mining
and people.
2010, Launceston Cornwall - Coronation Park Bandstand. Community art project to
create six decorative artwork panels depicting local history and culture. Commissioned
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by Cornwall County Council.
2008, St Austell Cornwall, clay trails sculpture
A Four metre high forged column
for Ground works. Community project working
depicting the history of the town
with the Penwithick residents.
from 1200-2004. Brentwood Town
Council Essex, 2003.
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2011, St Asaph North Wales - H.M.Stanley Commemorative Sculpture. We fully researching the
subject to produce a heritage sculpture telling the story of Stanley’s travels around the world.
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Located in St Asaph town centre. 4m high column.
2010, Devonport Heritage Trail. Eighty plaques depicting images of local history of Devonport
town, plaque resembling coins to create a treasure trail. Eighty plaques and one 1m plaque
depicting the navel history in the city. Commissioned by Plymouth City Council and Devonport
Redevelopment Company (DRC).
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2008, Saltash Cornwall - Tamar Bridge information board Sculpture, commemorate the designers
of the road suspension bridge.
2010, St Austell Cornwall - Penrice community College. Sculpture in the form of a Celtic cross
for the grounds. Working with the students to create copper plaques to be inset in to the
sculpture. Commissioned by Penrice College.
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2011, Bodmin Cornwall - Beacon nature reserve. Five 2m long pictorial benches, with the
theme of seasons and local history. Commissioned by Bodmin Town Council Cornwall.
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Rising Sun seating sculpture, depicting heritage and natural history. Inspired by the pupils of
Rickley Park School. 2.5m high galvanized steel. In the background male and female Stag
beetles 1.2m long galvanized steel. Rickley Park School, Milton Keynes 2012 Commissioners:
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Arts Council England
2011, St Mewan Cornwall - Primary School. Heritage Bench celebrating the local heritage of
the area, Farming, fishing and Mining. We ran copper beating workshops to create copper
plaques to be fitted into the backrest of the bench. The bench design was developed with
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help from the students and teacher.
2010, Plymouth - Highview primary school. Story telling throne,
theme of Mini beasts. We worked with 80 students to create
copper plaques to be inset in sculpture. Commissioned by Real
Ideas Organization (RIO).
2005, Pensilva Cornwall - primary school (Kay’s garden) story telling tree throne.
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2011, Camborne - JD Wetherspoons Pub/Restaurant. Sculptured tree 2.5m high made of mild
steel with heat coloured finish. Main feature in the middle of the restaurant.
2008, Bodmin JD Wetherspoons
2010, Perranporth Cornwall JD
Pub/Restaurant. Historical Victorian lamps,
Wetherspoons Pub/Restaurant. Copper
Gates and Handrails.
and stainless steel Parrot 2m wing span for
the Green Parrot Pub, main feature above
staircase.
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2009, Hounslow London - Hounslow Heath Park
entrance Sculpture 2.5m long Dragonfly.
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2009, Basingstoke - lead artists Binsfield woods two large Insect Sculptures 1.5m long.
Commissioned by Basingstoke Council.
2007, Peoples Trust for endangered species,
London. Interactive Fighting Stag Beetles.
Male and female Stag Beetles 1.2m long glvanized steel. Rickley Park School, Milton Keynes 2012
Commissioners: Arts Council England
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