Fine Art Photography School of Fine Art
Tom Gibson
Tom Gibson is a conceptual artist that utilises visual media and process art within his work to explore and question ideas of existence, identity, and the connection between the internal and external self. His work touched base with the schools of thought of existentialism, semantics, and abstraction to attempt an understanding of the nature of life, reality, and purpose whilst gravitating towards absurdist methodologies. Tom is concerned with posing, rather than answering, questions, putting his focus on investigating the status behind normality, subjectivity, and bias.
Works
‘Waste’
“Waste” is a research based project that traces the unseen journey of garbage to reveal the global, complex, and often hidden systems of waste disposal. Through photography, mapping, and minimal sculptural elements, the exhibition follows several different types of waste from their points of origin to their final destinations. Each stream is visually documented through images of collection points, sorting facilities, and disposal or recycling sites, with accompanying maps that trace their often international trajectories.
The exhibition highlights the disconnection between disposal and consequence, challenging viewers to confront the afterlife of their consumption. By making visible what is usually out of sight, Waste invites reflection on individual responsibility, systemic inefficiency, and environmental impact. The work is observational rather than didactic, offering a stark and contemplative look at the material traces we leave behind.
Not Shown:
The durational performance ‘You Don’t Care About Your Carbon Footprint’ the artist planted 35 trees across Scotland to “offset” the carbon footprint of their degree show — a gesture both earnest and absurd. Each tree was selected with the same arbitrary logic used by airlines offering guilt-free flights, and planted with theatrical care: to maximum eco-credibility.
