Terry Owen Mathews was born in England, although he grew up in Uganda. He received his education in England and Uganda as well as in Kenya. Mathews wanted to be a game warden from an early age and founded his own family business in 1967 with a focus on safari tours. In 1968 Mathews lost sight in one eye in a shooting accident and has since focused on making bronze sculptures. Mathews has been able to study many wild animals through his childhood and work and has acquired knowledge that is useful in his sculpture. His work is shown in Europe, Africa and the United States and is part of various collections.