Toby's Career Journey and Artistic Development
Early Career and Influences
Toby graduated from Bath Spa in 2016 with first-class honors. He then pursued an MA in painting at the Royal College. He started with glassmaking, then experimented with painting, sculpture, and sound art, ultimately focusing on video work during his BA.
Key Inspirations & Ideas
- Dirk Jarman's Blue: Inspired the use of space and concealment of the subject.
- John Smith's video work: Influenced the disruption of narratives and engaging the audience through humor and doubt.
Video Work
During his time at university, Toby specialized in video work, focusing on DIY aesthetics and manipulating the medium's formal structure.
One example is a video about a hill: Which explores disruption, concealment, and the revealment of subjects in unexpected ways.
Port Eleven Placement
This placement emphasized collaboration, even within individual practices. He collected postcards and beach debris, altering them to subvert expectations and impart different properties, influenced by John Berger's essay on Magritte.
Degree Show
His degree show featured An American Wealth in Wales, a fictional narrative that blends reality and fiction. This piece also highlights the use of doubt in constructing narratives.
Post-Graduation Challenges
After graduation, Toby faced challenges, including working at Lovehoney and not taking full advantage of the Spike Island associate placement.
Shift to Painting
Toby transitioned from video to painting due to the difficulty accessing equipment and a desire to explore the medium. He volunteered at the Victoria Arts Centre and experimented with paint.
Cultural Sector Work
- Framing: Worked as a framer in Bristol and later at the VNA, gaining experience with various artworks.
- Curatorial Work: Organized exhibitions to bring young artists together and foster dialogue.
- VNA: Worked in archives and framing, eventually moving to technical services, where he trained in mount making. He worked on installations, including the Diva exhibition.
Royal College of Art (RCA)
At the RCA, Toby initially struggled to find his voice amidst established artists. He eventually shifted away from figuration, focusing on the sensation of subjects and the material properties of paint. Play became a crucial element in his work, allowing him to react to the material and find new directions.
Painting Practice
His painting centers on vivid colors, illusion, and the disruption of perception. He considers paintings as objects and explores the illusionistic qualities of the medium.
Post-RCA and Freelance Residency
After winning the RCA painting prize, Toby continued curating shows and secured a studio with other artists. He obtained a freelance residency, which supports his practice.
Key Themes
- Collaboration: Engaging with different practices and ideas.
- Concealment and Revealment: Disrupting and playing with subject matter.
- Play: Consciously stepping aside from expectations to find new possibilities.
- Materiality: Exploring the properties and potential of materials.
Advice and Reflections
- Take advantage of opportunities and collaborations.
- Engage with the art world and build a network.
- Find ways to sustain your practice through side hustles and cultural sector work.
- Embrace mistakes as learning experiences.
- Fight for the cultural sector and support regional art scenes.