Spencer Tinkham Art

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Spencer Tinkham Art

Contemporary art and antique restoration by Spencer Tinkham

08/12/2026

“The depth closed me round about…”

Jonah 2:5

The smaller form in Jonah Below is scaled to my exact height. It functions in part as a self-portrait and a measure of the body within something larger than itself.

Jonah Below (details)
120” x 66” x 48”
Western red cedar, bluestone and oils

“The imperfect is our paradise.”

- Wallace Stevens

The surface carries what the form cannot conceal: material, process, scars, and time.

Jonah Below (details)
120” x 66” x 48”
Western red cedar, bluestone and oils

“The imperfect is our paradise.”

- Wallace Stevens

The surface carries what the form cannot conceal: material, process, scars, and time.

Jonah Below (details)
120” x 66” x 48”
Western red cedar, bluestone and oils

08/07/2026

Only a few weeks left to see Jonah Below and The Ark at Powerhouse Arts ! The exhibition was recently featured in The Wall Street Jornal, The New York Times, Hyperallergic and Artforum.

“New works by Jeffrey Gibson, Nicole Cherubini and Spencer Tinkham are among the show’s highlights, as are pieces by Wangechi Mutu, Kiki Smith, Rob Pruitt, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Toshio Sasaki, Daniel Firman, and Ryan Johnson.”

— Hyperallergic

Jonah Below (installation view)
120” x 66” x 48”
Western red cedar, bluestone and oils

06/17/2026

The Ark has officially been open at Powerhouse Arts for one week! It joins the Whitney Biennial, and exhibitions at The Met, and MoMA, as Hyperallergic’s list of “must-see art shows in NYC this summer.”

The exhibition is thoughtfully curated by Eric Shiner and Eric Fischl. Their vision brings 89 animal sculptures by 51 artists into a beautifully-renovated former power plant.

“[These sculptures] capture an animal’s inherent beauty, a physical manifestation of instinct and survival. There are also sculptures of animals that personify truths within human life that are best approached indirectly because they are rooted in the sublime: wordless wonder and terror.” – Eric Fischl

Jonah Below
2026
Western Red Cedar, bluestone and oil paint

06/05/2026

For months, I have pushed the limits of my studio, my assistants and myself (see progress pic above.) I am thrilled to present my installation 𝙅𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙝 𝘽𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙬 at 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙠 with Powerhouse Arts , curated by Eric Fischl and Eric Shiner.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙠 runs Jun 11- Aug 30, 2026 and inaugurates a year-round exhibitions program led by Vice President of Curatorial and Arts Programs Liz Munsell and Associate Curator Constanza Valenzuela.

From majestic elephants and buffalo to familiar companions like cats and pigeons, The Ark brings together more than 90 animal sculptures and installations by 51 artists spanning different generations and geographies. This major exhibition features artists like François-Xavier Lalanne, Maurizio Cattelan, Kiki Smith, Kate McCgwire and other notable artists.

📸: Mabel Poblet Pujol

05/22/2026

The secret’s out! For the last 3 years, I’ve produced paintings, drawings and serigraphs that I have guarded until the moment felt right. I’m excited to exhibit the first of these works on paper at Goggleworks Center for the Arts !

𝑹𝒆-𝑰𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 is a partnership between Creature Conserve and Goggleworks. The exhibition runs through July 26 and I hope you can check it out!

The show reconsiders the role of artists in wildlife conservation and explores the possibilities of art informed by science. 𝑹𝒆-𝑰𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 features works by 36 visual artists and 13 writers, all from 11 countries.

03/26/2026

What’s one of my most frequently asked questions? “Where can we see your work in person?”

I’m delighted to announce that you can view 3 of my favorite sculptures at the Norfolk International Airport until May 3! In collaboration with and , I am honored to be a part of this exhibition. Whether you’re flying out of Norfolk or just want to park in short-term parking to see the art, I hope you’ll visit the pieces in the Main Lobby (before security.) It has been a long-term goal of mine to show works in my hometown airport and I am incredibly honored to present these Macrosculptues!

03/13/2026

Sculpting a 10’ Humpback Whale flipper with pure willpower… and a STIHL chainsaw!

I glued and bolted three 10’ western red cedar beams to create this flipper. Right now, the piece weighs approximately 700 lbs! Next, I will use extra coarse rasps used for filing horse hooves to shape the sculpture. Progress is slow, and the work is extremely physical. That said, this is turning out to be one of my best sculptures yet!

02/27/2026

In a few months, I’ll show brand new work in the most significant exhibition of my career so far. I’m pushing my artistic and physical limits like never before and creating monumental sculptures. These pieces feel deeply personal.

Pictured here is a Humpback Whale pectoral fin (flipper) that is over 5’ tall. My next sculpture is 10’ tall and weighs close to 1000 lbs. Thankfully, the sculptures get lighter with each passing day!

The smell of the Western Red Cedar chips is reminiscent of Irish “turf”— smokey peat moss. I’m definitely enjoying the journey!

Address

Norfolk, VA
23501-23515, 23517-23521, 23523, 23529, 23541, 23551

Website

https://www.SpencerTinkhamArt.com/

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