About Naomi Tomkys OBE
Links
Awards
2023
Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust recipient
2023
Art Vue Foundation Yearly Prize 2022 (Special mention)
2022
Arts Council UK - Developing Creative Practice
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Previous events
Event: Life At Fitzbillies
Dates: July 3, 2024 - Oct. 7, 2024
Having black coffee and macarons while sketching at Fitzbillies is how this exhibition was born. Wondering about the people at other tables, their laughter, coy glances and ice-tea with two straws.
Fitzbillies is quintessentially Cambridge and everyone you meet will have their own story. Whether it’s afternoon tea meeting future parents-in-law or a 20-year old memory of Chelsea buns with your grandad after school, Fitzbillies has a place in the hearts of everyone who knows it.
Naomi Tomkys said, ‘As a Cambridge artist I’d been thinking about capturing the essence of Fitzbillies in a series of drawings and paintings for ages. Wondering how fun it might be to immortalise Fitzbillies’ food, staff, history, patrons, vibe and even some drawings behind the scenes. Alison, the owner, and the whole Fitzbillies team loved the idea.
Event: Storied Places
Dates: Sept. 1, 2023 - Nov. 11, 2023
Tomkys describes her work as straddling realism and impressionism with changing looseness of brushstroke reflecting the tales being told. She uses traditional oil painting techniques including chiaroscuro, imprimatura, mass tone and glazing to explore her subjects. A limited classical palette, primarily focussing on skin tones, results in a controlled, explorative and joyous body of work celebrating colour.
Tomkys grew up in London where she attended Central St. Martins School of Art. She now lives and works in Cambridgeshire and her inspiration comes from the day-to-day moments that make her smile.
This body of work features 39 re has shown in group and one-man shows both nationally and internationally, including The Mall Gallery, Sak and Catto Contemporary, and in exhibitions and collections as far afield as Texas and Dubai. She exhibits regularly with the Cambridge Drawing Society and Open Studios. In 2022, Tomkys received an Arts Council Award to develop her practice.
Event: Open Studio
Dates: July 1, 2023 - July 23, 2023
Current collection open to the public
Event: Spring Exhibition
Dates: March 22, 2023 - April 1, 2023
An exhibition of selected works by artist members of the Cambridge Drawing Society.
Event: Pornsaints
Dates: Dec. 9, 2010 - Dec. 30, 2010
An group of artists were invited to produce an oil painting reflecting on the iconography and the porn industry.
Event: Art Liberating Lives
Dates: Oct. 16, 2010 - Nov. 1, 2010
A juried selected show at the Mall.
Event: Group Show
Dates: June 8, 2009 - June 28, 2009
Juried exhibition
Event: Royal Society of British Artists
Dates: March 6, 2007 - March 26, 2007
Juried exhibition
Event: Bagels to Bangladesh
Dates: July 4, 2001 - July 24, 2001
A collection of large oil paintings titled Bagels to Bangladesh exploring the cultural richness of the East End
Event: Cool Britannia
Dates: Nov. 1, 2000 - Nov. 1, 2000
A collection of large oil paintings on the theme of members only bars and clubs popular at the time. These included Atlantic and Momo's.
Biography
Naomi Tomkys grew up in London where she attended Central St. Martins School of Art. She now lives and works in Cambridgeshire. Her inspiration comes from the day-to-day moments that make her smile. Tomkys engages with a broad range of subject matters from tourists punting to festival goers. She portrays a world of authenticity reflecting moments in time as joys and the idiosyncrasies of daily life. Her influences are eclectic ranging from the humanity of Edward Hopper to the narratives of Paula Rego. Although her subject matter varies, a merging of past and present plays a significant part in all of Tomkys’ work acting as shorthand for our cultural familiarities. It can be seen in a child wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt on a school trip or a group of Cambridge men in their uniform of Panama hats as the sun comes out. Each painting reflecting a cinematic approach to her own interests in dynamic composition, nostalgia, and storytelling.
“My aim is to reflect a sense of personality in my paintings by collecting drawn people and inviting you to see what you will. I want my work to muster a familiar happiness, to laugh at the small things and feel a little warmer”.
Tomkys’ work straddles realism and impressionism with changing looseness of brushstroke reflecting the tales being told. Tomkys uses traditional oil painting techniques including chiaroscuro, imprimatura, mass tone and glazing to explore her subjects. A limited classical palette, primarily focussing on skin tones, results in a controlled, explorative and joyous body of work celebrating colour. Tomkys has shown in group and one-man shows both nationally and internationally, including The Mall Gallery, Sak and Catto Contemporary, and in exhibitions and collections as far afield as Texas and Dubai. She exhibits regularly with the Cambridge Drawing Society and Open Studios. In 2022, Tomkys received an Arts Council Award to develop her practice.
