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Laura Serena
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Mar 7/2007


Francois Thibault: An Original

The Northwest Territories of Canada is one of the very few remaining places on Earth where the extraordinary power of nature dominates the landscape and influences every aspect of life. It can be a rugged, barren and often hostile environment but also one of astonishing beauty and absolute tranquility. The people of this land are imbued with a strength borne of their respect for and connection to the natural world, a strength that manifests itself both in the physical and spiritual realms. It is from these people, and this great land that highly acclaimed sculptor, artist and craftsman Francois “T-BO” Thibault finds his inspiration.

In an unlikely, almost storybook rise to prominence, Thibault began this journey from a one-man jewellery shop in the small Canadian arctic community of Yellowknife called Originals by T-BO. Just like the gems and precious materials he works with, Thibault stood out as unique and his work became highly prized. His reputation expanded and soon the young artist’s exceptional talent, vision and passion for design excellence carried him from these humble beginnings to his place as one of the most sought after artists in the world.

Prestigious commissions are an accurate reflection of an artist’s renown, and T-BO embarked on the path to the upper echelons of his craft beginning in 1986 when he was awarded the single largest artist contract at the World Exposition in Vancouver, BC. This exposure to the international stage led to honours and accolades from around the globe, including the 1992 Expo in Seville, Spain. In 1994, Thibault was commissioned to design and create gifts for HRH Elizabeth II, items which remain celebrated additions to the British Royal Collection.

Over the next decade, Thibault cemented his place among the elite of the art community, and continued to fashion intricate, and beautiful masterworks for a discerning clientele of individuals, organizations and governments. He is widely considered one of the foremost sculptures and jewelry designers of his time and has acted in an official capacity as ambassador of the Canadian diamond industry.

In the fall of 2002, T-BO reached the pinnacle of recognition when his “Northern Lights” work was selected for the cover of the Gemological Institute of America’s Gem & Gemology quarterly journal. This occasion marked the first time an independent Canadian diamond jewelry designer had been featured on the cover of the GIA and the first time in over 70 years that an independent designer had been featured. As the world’s foremost gemology authority, GIA covers are a privilege shared by few and generally by industry leaders such as Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston and Cartier. Francois Thibault name can now be properly uttered among these and other titans of the genre.