T.O.M.T. about the artist





	About the Artist In January 1988, Rodney Allen Trice moved to New York City to further his graphic design work and explore other areas of the arts as well. At the time, he had no idea where these pursuits would lead him – but he needed to furnish his new home in New York, on a budget, and his creative interpretation of found objects led to a fabulous décor and planted the seeds of his future business. In 1989, he began to build his first pieces. About 5 years later T.O.M.T.™ was formed and it has been growing ever since, garnering domestic and international press and a steady following along the way. Every time he is interviewed for a story, it prompts him to consider his endeavor and why exactly he does it. Ultimately, his work is about ordinary objects – and people, and places — that really aren’t so ordinary when you look at them the right way. His embrace-and-celebrate attitude is in part a reaction to his fear of ordinariness as a youth (“a fate worse than death”). Now he’s learned to celebrate it. “In the ‘fabulous, kiss, kiss, darling, love that dress ... Versace?’ world of art and design,” says Trice, “I hope my work emits a ‘get down off your high horse and sit a while’ feel.” From a focus on furniture and lighting, his work has recently expanded into hats and accessories, which are more about wearable hardware than anything else. His awareness of our need to conserve the Earth’s resources has grown significantly since this endeavor began about 12 years ago. As has his concern for a future where no one will be insulated from the need to make the most of the objects around us. “I believe we all must do our part, think beyond just separating plastic, paper, glass,” says Trice. “We must teach ourselves and learn as habit to see more than just a ‘rain shield’ in an umbrella, a ‘dust collector’ in a vacuum and a ‘shoe for our car’ in an old tire. When we do that, the Earth will become a safer place for the children of the 21st century and, from my experience, A LOT MORE FUN, TOO!” So enjoy T.O.M.T.™ - refitting the planet for today, tomorrow and all the days to come!