Lensed

I met Maddie when I was 13 at a youth theatre company. Growing up we pursued individual creative paths but always remained in each others’ consciousnesses. Maddie has now written and presented her own television series ‘Maddie Perry: Tough Jobs’ as well as directing both ‘Nanette’ and ‘Douglas’, Hannah Gadsby’s incredible stand up specials.

The way Maddie is able to realise other creative’s visions, as well as her own, is beyond inspiring to me. Maddie works to create experiences which illicit positive social change which is not only admirable but also desperately needed in today’s creative landscape.

The complexity, nuance and sheer compassion Maddie injects into the work she makes inspired me to create my most detailed work to date. I wanted this portrait to not only document Maddie but to capture the quiet, calm confidence she exudes. I am so proud of this work and of my friend Maddie.

This artwork will be on show at the 2021 Bluethumb Art Prize Winners Exhibition at 1 Denison in North Sydney from 8th August - 23rd September. Delivery will occur after the exhibition ends on the 23rd September.

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TOM CHRISTOPHERSEN is a Sydney based, award winning, Queer performer and visual artist whom is as petrified of beautiful things and death as much as he is transfixed by them. It is primarily the car-crashing of these two themes which permeate the hyper-realistic, almost surrealistic, often dark portraits and films he produces.
Tom aims to bring focus back to portraiture that is of a level of detail it demands an intimate level of engagement from the viewer. Working almost exclusively on watercolour paper with watercolour pencil and acrylic, Tom hopes his traditional, technical approach to drawing and painting provide a fresh, immediate offering to portraiture and indeed representation of the self. The figures and themes within Tom’s work are often autobiographical and based on real life experiences.

Tom’s artistic intention has always been to make images that create the necessary disturbances in order to provoke permanent, positive change.
Commission, print and sale enquiries are available via request.

Tom lives and works on the stolen Gadigal lands of the Eora Nation.