Tom Ridlon is a retired Spindleworks' artist known for his meticulous and imaginative sculptures made from found and everyday materials.

Working primarily with cardboard, chipboard and construction paper—sometimes incorporating match sticks, cloth, string or wire—he created detailed scale models of buildings and vehicles, finished with carefully applied paint. Rather than working from drawings, he relied on a remarkable photographic memory of structures. He built his objects building directly from observation. This approach allowed him to produce highly accurate and fully realized forms without reference images. His work is distinguished not only by its precision but also by its functionality: roofs are often removable, wheels turn and interiors are thoughtfully constructed. While his three-dimensional work is his primary focus, his drawings reflect the same level of care and exactness.

Tom’s work has been exhibited nationally, including the 2013 exhibition CONTEMPORARY FOLK at the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston.