David Kemp, an artist who transformed discarded industrial materials into whimsical sculptures, has passed away at the age of 80. His work, including the famous Tinner's Hounds made from old miners' boots, captured the imagination of many.
Early Life and Career
Born in London in 1945, Kemp was the eldest of four sons. After leaving Farnham Grammar School, he joined the merchant navy, traveling the world. However, a moment of reflection on the Thames led him to quit and pursue art at Wimbledon and Farnham art schools.
Move to Cornwall
In 1981, Kemp moved to Botallack, Cornwall, where he adapted an old building into a workshop. Initially painting surrealistic furniture, he soon turned to the abundant rubbish from the nearby tin mines. He created fantastic beasts and mystic beings, imagining himself as a 34th-century archaeologist uncovering a lost civilization.
The Museum of the Future
Kemp established the Museum of the Future, later renamed the Art of Darkness, in the Botallack Count House. This installation featured artifacts from his imagined ancient culture, complete with humorous labels. It was a rare museum filled with visitors' laughter.
Public Sculptures
Kemp received numerous commissions for public sculptures across the UK. Notable works include The Old Transformers (1989) in County Durham, two colossal figures made from salvaged engines, and The Navigators (1986), a 60-foot sailing tower in Hays Galleria, London.
Tinner's Hounds and Other Works
After the closure of Geevor tin mine in 1990, Kemp saved old miners' boots from being discarded and created the Tinner's Hounds, yapping dog sculptures now cast in bronze in Redruth. For the Eden Project, he made the Garden of Plastic Delights, an ironic take on Hieronymus Bosch using discarded items.
Personal Life and Legacy
Kemp married Mercedes Esteban Maes in 1977; she survives him along with their son George and granddaughter Ula. His work, often compared to Bosch, broke artistic conventions and celebrated the beauty in industrial waste. He died on 30 May 2026.
