Artist Biography
Tom French is a highly collectible and well-regarded British artist from Newcastle Upon Tyne, North East England. His powerful monochromatic canvases are driven by his efforts to engage with the subconscious, and a rigorous pursuit of truth.
French’s works are predominantly figurative, carefully combing detailed photorealism with strong elements of abstraction and surrealism. His paintings are a visual discourse on dualism, the duality of the physical and the metaphysical, and are reflected in the double images that populate his artwork.
Faces, figures and skulls repeat and shadow one-another. The choice of a monochrome palette, allows for narrative without distraction and for the play of light and dark to expand in unexpectedly haunting ways. French has had critically acclaimed solo exhibitions both in the UK and the US, collaborations have included the cover artwork for a release of the soundtrack to cult movie Donnie Darko.
The image of skulls often appears in your paintings, what is it about the motif that appeals to you?
The symbolism of the skull is a rather large subject, but for me it represents the fragility of life, a reminder that we’re just flesh & bone carrying around a bit of consciousness for a relatively tiny amount of time.
Extract from interview with Tom French in April 2016, by The Lawrence Alkin Gallery.
You can read the full interview here >>
'Solace'
signed and numbered by the artist.
