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.
