Thomas Tempte studied carpentry at Kalmar Verkstads Aktiebolag before taking his apprentice examination at Carl Malmstens where he scored the highest grades.
Tempte’s main material was wood, which he applied two-dimensionally in veneer work as well as three-dimensionally in his sculptures and furniture. By researching and using older techniques but in his own time and context, Tempte created his unique style objects. One of Tempte's most well-known pieces is the "Epitafium över Svenska träkonsten" – en hommage till Leichmeister Georg Renner" an intarsia covered veneer saw made with inspiration from the 1600th century. The saw was exhibited at Prince Eugenes Waldermarsudde museum in Stockholm 2011.
Artistic pieces and furniture by Tempte are represented at the Swedish National Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Furniture Studies in Stockholm, as well as at the Swedish Institute in Paris.
Thomas Tempte passed away in 2016 at the age of 74.
