Tic Tock Tom

Artist's Statement

Figuring out what else your VCR can be sometimes requires a little surgery.

I hate throwing things out while there is a chance of further use in them.  Everyday technology contains so much intricate material.

Creating the illusion of motion, life, and character is essential in my work.  Like each of a paintings brush strokes, each piece is important to the final look.  Small details help build character.  The curve on a typewriter gear could complete the devious crook in a mouth if placed correctly.

My final goal is to make you believe that the mass of metal you are looking at could come to life at any moment.

Biography

Tick Tock Tom has been taking his toys apart sice he was a kid.  Many of his influences come from the robotic icons of his childhood.  Things to blame include Johnny 5, an unhealthy obsession with Transformers, and Radio Shack's Super Armatron.   He has worked around engineers and welders for many years paying attention to their mistakes, what they've done to correct those mistakes, and any resulting success'.  He is mainly self taught, or taught by others that he has been lucky enough to gain wisdom from.  There were also some welding courses that came in handy.

Tom began sculpting with scrap metal near 12 years ago when a friend gave him a computer monitor stating that he "looked like someone who could do something with it".  The monitor, when combined with pieces from an old VCR, became his first piece of art.  It was shown to a store owner in Ottawa, and Tom's first commission came into being.  "Edgar" stood on Sommerset St for 8 years until an incident that only the tennants of the building across the street could properly recount.  Although he often works with humanoid forms, he has also made roses, and various crawling creatures.

Tom's works have gotten him into many interesting projects.  He has had work appear as props in movies such as Oddessa Films' "Harry Knuckles and the Pearl Necklace", and Departure Productions' "Maggot Man" where he was commissioned to create a futuristic riffle that transformed into a sword.  He has created mechanical gauntles, and armor for fashion shows, as well as the awards for the 2008 Ottawa International Animation Festival.  He returns to OIAF in 2009 with a brand new collection of awards.

His works can be viewed at www.TickTockTom.com, and seen at La Petite Mort Gallery, in Ottawa.