The Harvest

Part of the broader Cosplay Series, The Harvest is a celebration of costume and theatricality looking at the agency and self determination achieved in the art of 'dressing up'.

For the model Scarlet who is also a talented musician, singer, actor and performer there is a real joy obtained through the saturated colours and the sheer ridiculousness of the oversized nature of the prop scythe that she has made. It seems fitting that as the character of a vampire slaying heroine/antihero Scarlet gets to reap the rewards of a bolder, dry-humoured personality; she gives herself permission to act out a persona without inhibition from societal norms. For people from traditionally marginalised groups this can be a lifeline to better mental health and acceptance of oneself.

The painting echoes the theme of harvest and celebration by setting the carefully rendered figure amid much looser, vibrant stalks of golden wheat which seem to dance.

Rendered with oil paints in his typical high fidelity technique Tom has presented this work on fine linen. The edges of the painting are also completely painted and the work is set in a crisp white floating frame.

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Born and raised in Adelaide Tom came to painting after a rich and eclectic tapestry of life experiences and now makes high fidelity works focused on asking questions.

With a background in health sciences as well as architecture and design Tom's paintings are deeply rooted in the notion of critical thinking and the forging of human identity. Concepts of community versus individuality permeate the work as well as complexity versus minimalism.

The use of realism in traditional oil paints gives pause to the rapid consumptive nature of the modern digital image. They ask the viewer to rest a while, observe and let the painting take one's thoughts where it will. The works do not regale with a bombastic answer but rather sequester time for a deeper question.

He has been a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize in 2016, 2019 and again in 2022. He was the winner of the Kennedy Art Prize People's Choice Award 2021 and 2023. He was a Bluethumb Art Prize Finalist in 2022 as well as a Finalist in the Darling Portrait Prize 2022 at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra.

Since 2013 Tom has been involved in the acclaimed pop-up fine art workshop school The Art Academy in Adelaide run by internationally renowned artist Robin Eley. Working first as a technical assistant and later as an instructor Tom has continued the never-ending journey of refining his craft and sharing that passion with others; for a lesson in painting is a lesson in thinking and continues to be to this day.