Taste of Cambridge Painting

Naomi Tomkys OBE lives and works in Cambridgeshire. She grew up in London where she attended Central St. Martins School of Art. Tomkys has shown in a wide range of group shows and one-man shows both nationally and internationally including The Mall Gallery, Sak and Catto Contemporary in London and in exhibitions and collections as far afield as Texas and Dubai. She also exhibits regularly with the Cambridge Drawing Society and Open Studios. Tomkys’ influences are eclectic and range from the classism of Botticelli to humanity of Hopper to the narrative structures of Rego. Each reflects her own interests in dynamic composition, nostalgic and telling stories of moments in time. Nostalgia plays a significant part in Tomkys’ work, not as sentimentality but as a short cut to cultural connections. Nostalgia presents as a child wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt on a school trip on a school trip, or jar of Nutella or a group of older Cambridge men wearing the same straw Panama hats as soon as the sun comes out. Inspiration comes from the day to day moments that make her smile. Tomkys engages with a broad range of subject matter from iconic punters and picnickers to circus high wire acts. Tomkys portrays a world of authenticity reflecting the joys and idiosyncrasies of daily life. 'For as long as I can remember, I’ve played the same people-watching game. I imagine what strangers walking past do, who they love and what’s in their pockets. My work is a development of this simple idea, I paint characters, not figures. I present their stories'. - Naomi Tomkys Naomi 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. Tomkys engages with a broad range of subject matters from tourists punting to festival goers. She portrays a world of authenticity, reflecting the joys and 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.