"Portal" - from New Works by Tom Hilborn, 2010

“Portal,” from Tom Hilborn’s collection of art, entitled New Works.

This painting measures 48 x 48 inches, a large work and was first exhibited at The Art Exchange in April-May.  The photograph of this painting is courtesy of the Art Exchange in London, Ontario.

Acrylic paint on board.

Study for the Last Supper

Study for the Last Supper by Tom Hilborn.  Acrylic paint on masonite board.

Primordial Future #17

Tom Hilborn’s latest works of art are currently on display in two separate locations in London, Canada.  One of his exhibitions of paintings is at the Il Tenore restaurant and the other is at The Art Exchange on Wortley Road.  I attended his opening last Friday night at the Art Exchange.

The Art Exchange exhibition runs from April 12th  to May 1, 2010.  Gallery owner Al Stewart is excited to present Tom’s newest works, a collection of 23 paintings.  Let’s call this collection simply, “New Works by Tom Hilborn.”

New Works by Tom Hilborn is a series of 23 paintings, mostly acrylic on board.  Many of the paintings are three dimensional, their depth built up by the use of either modeling paste, or almost jig saw shapes of cut masonite.  The colors of the paint are softer, but one still sees not only the abstract but also one finds planets, and landscapes from the older works by Tom.

Tom’s art has greatly evolved since the Saints and Hards body of work.  Tom told me that there has been a shift away from mythological themes  (to a degree) to the concept of opening things up to  circular patterns to suggest simultaneous implosion and expansion.  The Madonna is still very present in his paintings, but she is surrounded by broken circles, curves, landscapes, horizons which imply a larger circle, planets, and nature.  When I asked Tom why the Madonna is still seen in his work, he replied only with “force of habit, I guess.”

When Tom speaks of his paintings, he mentions the phrase, “it’s all an illusion,” asking me if I knew that Albert Einstein first coined the phrase,  “The Grand Illusion.”

New Works theme of implosion, explosion, and circularity expose an internal reality ouside of the self and the absorption of an external reality.  Tom’s paintings challenge the viewer to look both out and inwardly in order to find balance.  These are more than just “safe” paintings of landscapes to match the color of the living room couch. They will challenge you to an introspection of the Self, a moment of quiet contemplation.

Photo Courtesy of Al Stewart of The Art Exchange Gallery

Abstract of Nature by Tom Hilborn

Another abstract painting by Tom Hilborn.  I forget what he called this one, but it expresses Tom’s connection to nature and the world, much like his painting Earth & Chaos.

Don’t forget Tom’s upcoming art exhibition :

He will be exhibiting his work from April 12 – May 1, 2010 at the Art Exchange at 274 Wortley Road, London, Ontario, Canada.  If you have any further questions, please call 519-434-0000 or fax 519-434-8226.

The opening reception will be held April 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

Art gallery hours are 10:00 – 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.  Saturday:  10:00 – 5:00 p.m.

See you there!

Tom Hilborn's painting of Jerry Reid

Tom Hilborn’s painting of American country singer, Jerry Reed (1937 – 2o08).

Brilliant colors make up Tom’s perception of this guitarist.  Note the head of the Madonna.

Painted in 2003.  Painting with acrylic on masonite board.

Head of Converging Memories by Tom Hilborn

Painting by Tom Hilborn, “Head of Converging Memories”.  From the Saints and Hards art collection.

The typical, classical Madonna head, frequently seen in the artwork of Tom Hilborn, merged with geometrical shapes, nature and symbols of  the planets, earth and moon.

The Madonna, though not a religious figure is often seen in Tom’s painting.  He says he uses the Madonna as a familiar symbol to draw in the viewer to his work.  It is the familiarity and not for reasons of religion that he uses the Madonna in his paintings.

Hayden Thompson by Tom Hilborn

Hayden Thompson, abstract painting by Tom Hilborn.

From the Saints & Hards art collection.