Antigravity Smile

Anti-gravity Smile:

Depicting cosplayer Harvestsprite Cosplay as Ochako Uraraka (code-named Uravity) from the Manga and Anime series My Hero Academia. Uraraka's super power is to imbue anything she can touch with zero gravity, while her personality at the university for heroes is generally bubbly and uplifting. She is forthright, hardworking and generally well liked, however despite always projecting a positive persona for her comrades she also has concerns and questions about the nature of her career and her ability to do it.
As humans we understand the danger of always putting on a happy face even when it is not exactly how we're feeling so there is perhaps a kind of sanctuary in donning the cosplay face of a character that is doing the same. A way of saying that yes there is a smile, but there is also something deeper and maybe I'll talk about it...when I'm ready... but for now: enjoy the smile.

This work has been painted on specially prepared canvas, stretched and set in a crisp, white, deep-edged floating timber frame.

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.