Tom Brooks @ Minto Large Display

Statement

In my early work I used trowels, rollers, scrapers to apply paint in unconventional ways. I am currently exploring printing and stencilling. These techniques, used throughout history, were re-energized in the 1960’s with the Pop and Op Art Movement. My designs are inspired by the laws of nature and the interference patterns. I use the basic forms of arcs and waves to create artworks that juxtapose the exploration of colour with the laws of physics, examining the meaning of art and science.

Biography

Tom Brooks is a native of Scarborough, Ontario, who learned the love of drawing and art from an early age. He studied civil engineering at Waterloo University and graduated with a Bachelor of Industrial Design, from Carleton University. As a student Engineer and practising Industrial Designer, he worked on a myriad of projects: cars, home appliances, community mailboxes, children’s play structures etc. In the early 90’s, Tom rediscovered his passion for drawing and painting while taking night classes at the Ottawa School of Art. His instructor recognized early on that he was a colourist and urged him to explore abstraction. In the early evenings before class, Tom would often visit the National Gallery to broaden his understanding of Art History. In the art studio, he worked alongside other students who had vastly different approaches to art. This understanding of how to develop the unique styles of students helped form his current approach as an educator. His current work focuses on interference patterns and reflects his love of Engineering, Science and Mathematical problem solving, coupled with the spontaneity of the creative process.