The Tapley Collection
BRUCE H TAPLEY
DESIGNER / GOLDSMITH
For me, the Artistic Quest has always been one of Classical Ideals. Music, Art and Architecture, Mythology, and Design.
That is: Lucid, with Correctness of Style and Order, and Holding Enduring Significance. Of course, that’s My Opinion.
Please, Come in and look around for yourself…
As Bruce was learning to become proficient in his new craft, he had a horrible accident that changed the course of his career. A mistake using a power saw caused him to tear apart the palm of his right hand. A large scar criss-crosses his hand like a map of the tributaries of the Mississippi River. He almost lost his hand, but with some quick thinking and a great surgeon, he was able to turn the experience into a positive one. “My life seems to be a series of defining moments. As I was
losing consciousness, I realized that I was in the throes of paying some heavy dues, and I decided then that if I were lucky enough to regain any use of my hand, that I would devote myself to creating beauty.” After more than 20 years, Bruce has begun to regain feeling in his hand. “Once I
recovered from the accident, the fact that I had limited use of my hand never really bothered me. I used it as a motivational factor.”
Bruce knows that people are very emotionally tied to their jewelry, whether it’s your first heirloom from parents or grandparents, a class ring, sweet sixteen or an expensive wedding set. When you are in the middle of your day and can look and see the pieces that you adorn yourself with, it
gives you a sense of form and continuity. Jewelry is something than can actually make you happy everyday, even if in very subtle ways. ” This, to me, is how I feel when I create my classical pieces. My artistic career has been a quest to reach classical ideals. I’ve always had a strong desire to
create things that would be around long after I’m gone, as my legacy, so to speak. This is why I choose as my medium precious metal and stone.” Some of the research that Bruce has done on his father’s carvings has revealed an interesting phenomenon. The carvings that were made 200 years ago were inspired by ancient gold coins of the realm, some from as far back as 2600 B.C. And now, 4600 years later, Bruce is returning these images to their original precious material…Gold. Full Circle.
Bruce says that living and working on Maui feels very close to his idea of the archetype of the Artist in Ancient Civilizations that is not found in the most of the rest of America. “Hawaii resembles the Greek Isles to me, and Santorini in particular, especially living on the side of a volcano. It resonates with the fire below the surface which in turn produces such fertile soil. This, to me, stimulates creativity. I hope to be here doing what I love most for a very long time.”