Thomas Gaffney

Artist Statement

My drawings explore the relationship between us humans’ man made world against the backdrop of a seemingly fleeting natural world. Growing up in the populated suburbs of the New Jersey area surrounding New York, I’ve always been drawn to the innate interactions between industry and nature. Attempting to find both the beauty and sadness at this intersection, my drawings ask the viewer to try and find an alluring charm in the eye sores and ugliness that are man made objects; in their form, textures, and materials. Often pictured in tandem with these objects are animals – forced into a partnership with humanity and all its faults. My use of high contrast reinforces this dichotomy between light and dark, good and bad; blurring the line between the two, as exaggerated forms of light intertwine them and directional lines guide the viewer’s eye through the image. Much of my work starts with an image I create in my mind. I then combine this with pictures I have taken of barren urban and suburban landscapes -- compositions I find depressing but beautiful. I have a wide range of influences from Photographers, Impressionist and Naturalist Painters, Draftsmen, Graffiti Artists, Strangers, Friends, Family, and Garbage. My bottom line is a desire to invoke an air of sensitivity and empathy.

Biography

Thomas Gaffney (22 y/o) was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has spent most of his life in New Jersey. For as long as he can remember he has been creating; whether it be utilizing Play-doh or crayons as a toddler, stop motion movies with Legos and Clay, or bits of wood, styrofoam, and glue to make a bizzare composition, he feels at home expressing himself through materials. The most consistent artistic material he has used throughout his life has been graphite. He wants to figure out where the line is between illustration versus fine art, while maintaining artistic integrity and staying true to the images he wants/needs to create. Despite his lifelong relationship with making art, it wasn't until the Covid Pandemic that he decided to use Instagram as an outlet to display the work he had been creating. Thomas is a recent graduate of the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, and has been featured at the Green Point Gallery (Brooklyn), The ArtGroove Experience in Chelsea (Manhattan), the Gallery at 161 Bowery (Manhattan), and the Pearview Galleries Virtual Summer Exhibition.

Petqua_2023_Graphite on cardstock_6 x 8.5 inches
The Hit_2024_Watercolor and colored pencil on cartridge paper_30 x 22 inches
Brothers_2023_Graphite on cardstock_12 x 15 inches
Guardrail_2024_Graphite on cardstock_16 x 20 inches
Stella D'oro Pistola_2024_Watercolor and colored pencil on cartridge paper_30 x 22 inches
No Turns_2024_Graphite on cartridge paper_22 x 30 inches
Tubs_2023_Graphite on cardstock_6 x 8.5 inches