Customer Reviews

Thomas Mann: Metal Artist

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This book displays a beautifully photographed representation of Thomas Mann's creative genius that is not to be missed. Thomas Mann is a true modern master and this book details his life's work and inspiration from the past three decades. From the use of non-precious metals, found objects, and objects that are created to look old, Thomas's highly recognizable industrial style is an inspiration to many, and he will be remembered for his contribution to the world of jewelry arts, for many years to come.

Mann's jewelry has a unique character. Depending on which pieces you look at, it has the depth and mystery of Joseph Cornell's shadow boxes, the layered complexity of Nick Bantock's artwork, and the mechanical cleverneess of Alexander Calder's mobiles - but with more sense of play and pure fun than I've seen in any of those other artists. And, in order to share that sense of fun with the largest number of people, Mann has done the nearly unthinkable in the world of jewelry: he keeps his work affordable by using steel, brass, and plastic in place of gold, platinum, and precious stones. To me, that seems like a revolutionary statement of the obvious: good design is what makes jewelry more enjoyable than a pricey lump of metal. Mann decided to eliminate the pricey metal, and to sell design and enjoyment.

These pieces have remarkable character. Most of his work, especially bracelet size and up, consists of a wide range of different shapes, structures, and textures, strung together with cheerful and pleasing dissonance. Faces, hands, loose beds in plastic channels, found pictures and objects -- all appear together in never-ending combinations. Many of the "found" objects aren't, really, since some of his clients (like QVC) want designs that can be fabricated repeatably and in quantity. Still, Mann manages to retain sense of uniqueness and age that make his pieces so distinctive. And, although Mann uses standard jewelry fabrication technique where appropriage, he uses miniature nuts, bolts, and rivets not just as fasteners, but as design elements as well.

Mann is a remarkable character in himself, too, as the biographical notes show. Both as personal growth and as response to the pressures changing markets, he seems to reinvent himself every decade or so - and often more frequently than that. If you just look at the happy variety within his artwork, you'll still keep coming back to this volume. Mann the man is at least as interesting, however.

-- wiredweird

I confess, I am a Thomas Mann fan! This is a wonderful book that anyone who loves Mixed Media, found objects and unique jewellery will love. A wonderful variety of "essays" written by others about Mann at different times in his career, starting in the 1970's including pieces written by Mann on his creative process. It is a wonderful read and you can see clearly how his unique style has developed.

The glorious images that adorn the pages of his work are beautifully taken and reproduced in page after page of work that you can not help but gasp at, sigh at and hopefully appreciate this remarkable artist's talent. The book may be "old" in terms of publishing (2001) but you just have to track this book down and keep it before it is out of print. This book is one of my most loved.

great book with wonderful jewelry examples plus an insight into the artists life and how his art work journey began

This is a wonderful book. I was not familiar with Thomas Mann at all until I purchased this book. To say the man is a creative genius is almost an understatement.

A book well done for the fan of Thomas Mann. It gives LOTS of detailed photos of all his work through the years, as well as an account of his life. I'm glad he gives acknowledgement for all the people who contributed to his success. Well done!

I received my order in just a few days. The book is awesome and was received in better condition than I expected. Very pleased, would recommend.