Addictum

Addictum: by far the most overtly political of my works so far this portrait is of my friend and artist Damien Shen.

Damien is of both Ngarrandjeri and Chinese descent and his artistic work deals with reclaiming these identities in a contemporary setting. Adding to this Damien has also worked as a project officer with Drug and Alcohol Services SA giving him insight into how substance abuse has affected the community.

My concept for this painting was to reference old photographs of Australian Blackbirding practices as recent as the 20th century and to recontextualise them with a more subtle understanding. The chains today need not be of blackened iron to enslave and control a population. Addiction can be just as effective; through substances, through money, through perceived social acceptance. The chains may be as gold...but they are still there to manipulate.

However this work is one of strength and optimism for if one looks closely there are cracks in the links pointing to a more independent future. The power and posture of Damien's form emerges from the canvas unbowed and unbroken: conformity cannot be bought.

Follow

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.