Roy Tonkin

Roy Tonkin’s artistic journey began at age 12 when reading Tolkien sparked his lifelong fascination with shapes, myths, and figures. He studied pottery and printmaking at West Surrey College of Art and the Bath Academy, where he developed his distinctive approach to carborundum etchings. This technique allows him to build up a three-dimensional surface on the plate by applying layers of paste and iron filings as if working with clay.
In the early 1980s, Tonkin established a studio in London where he produces his ceramic carborundum plates and prints them himself. His work draws deep inspiration from medieval legends and the craftsmanship of that era, including woodwork, pottery, masonry, and tapestries. Through his unique printmaking process, he creates images that explore a rich world of allegory and fables, bringing ancient stories and mythical themes to life with remarkable texture and depth.
Tonkin is represented by Park West Gallery, where collectors can discover his imaginative works that bridge the gap between medieval tradition and contemporary printmaking innovation.