Tom Crowther

Born in Chester, England, Crowther’s journey from Northwest England/North Wales to the U.S. in his teens marked the beginning of his artistic pursuits. Settling in Augusta, GA, he completed high school and earned his BFA at Augusta State University, where his passion for painting and drawing flourished. Seeking a change, Crowther pursued graduate studies in rural Radford, Virginia, nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains, obtaining his MFA at Radford University.

During this time, Crowther recognized parallels between the Appalachian topography and the rolling hills of North Wales, influencing the predominant theme in his early paintings. Teaching at Augusta University from 2006 to 2021, Crowther navigated challenges until the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Post-pandemic, he shifted to both academic and public education roles, exhibiting regularly in the southeastern United States and actively participating in the Augusta art community.

Crowther’s work converges experiences from Great Britain and the Deep South, creating nostalgic oil paintings that weave autobiographical narratives. Inspired by mentors like Philip Morsberger and artists such as Lucian Freud, Euan Uglow, Manet, Richard Diebenkorn, and Elmar Bischoff, Crowther’s oeuvre explores identity, self-psychology, and the challenges of raising a child in a turbulent world.

In his recent solo exhibition, “Second Act,” Crowther employs the human form and nature to delve into Non-Objective/Non-Representational picture-making. The show revolves around unforeseen life events altering not just one’s life but also one’s identity. The “Beneath” series uses abstracted mark-making to metaphorically explore chaos beneath the surface. Paintings like “Double Dimond” and “Rose Queen” draw from family photographs of the 1950s, embodying British identity in a traditional yet expressive manner.

While oil paint remains his preferred medium, Crowther experiments with printmaking, water-based media, and collage applications. Crowther enjoys and appreciates the vibrant peer teaching community that comes from working in both the academic and public high school environments.

As for artist statements, Crowther rejects the idea of a single statement, presenting a gallery full of them in his latest exhibition, “Second Act” Interpret them as you like.

https://thomascrowther.com