Mackenzie Thorpe was born in an economically depressed area of northern England, where he was the eldest of seven children born to a laborer and an auxiliary nurse. He faced the challenge of dyslexia as well as his family's practical struggles and found solace and acceptance by using his exceptional artistic skills. Many of his most poignant images have been inspired by his early years.

Because of his dyslexia, Thorpe left school with few marketable skills and went to work as a laborer. After three years, he made the brave decision to pursue his art seriously, and attended first a local art school and then the Byam Shaw Art College in London. Today he lives and works in North Yorkshire, England, with his wife and two children. Of his work he says, "In all of hardship there is a glimmer of light; it may be very small, but it is there. My art brings hope."

His paintings, prints and sculpture have been exhibited in many galleries throughout the world. The Birmingham Museum in Birmingham, England, hosted the first Thorpe museum exhibition in 2001. A 10,000-square-foot installation of the artist's paintings and sculptures sold out opening night at the artist reception.