Man with Spear

This work was created for my postgraduate honours studies back in late 2016.

The idea behind the work was simply to portray a figure isolated in an unknown environment, contemplating the reality of his existence and relationship to the world. Initially, the background was just dedicated to textural mark-making patterns and didn't resemble anything in particular. By process of exploration and my own projection, I saw different objects and scenes emerge, then drew these into the space surrounding the figure.

The spear itself was added in much later, along with indications of fish hidden on the figure and in the water.

Please note: Due to the experimental nature of this piece, I have no knowledge of the integrity and durability of the layers over time. However, since creating this piece, the work has maintained the same quality and finish as when it was completed. All that is noticeable is a slightly warped frame. The frame itself was completely square when I created it, but changing humidity and unideal storage environments may be the cause of this.

Also apparent is the frame itself being visible in the drawing -- this was a personal decision and incorporated into the thematic ideas of the work, with the figure being bound to the environment and dependent on it.

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Tom Ansell is constantly concerned with the fabric between what is seen in the subject and what is not‚and the things that come from leaving information out or adding things in. Earlier work is concerned with philosophical ideas such as death and existence. His qualifications include a BA Hon. in Visual Art at Edith Cowan University and a BA: Visual Art Major from Edith Cowan University.
He also completed his Training and Assessment Certificate in 2018. Since 2021, Tom has been creating mural works full-time. The artworks you see here are the product of a period before this time, when his studio practice was the predominant focus.