Tom Adair's Debut Solo Show HOME at Metro Gallery

‘Bushland beauty.’ Airbrush acrylic polymer and neon on dibond, acrylic frame (115x160cm).

‘Golden opportunity with city views.’ Airbrush acrylic polymer and neon on dibond, acrylic frame (125x125cm).

‘A short two minute walk to the beach.’ Airbrush acrylic polymer and neon on dibond, acrylic frame (110x110cm).

‘A quiet cul de sac.’ Airbrush acrylic polymer and neon on dibond, acrylic frame (110x170cm).

Dubbed Home, Melbourne artist Tom Adair‘s debut show brings together photography of mid-century architecture, graffiti subculture, old-school neon lights and slick acrylic framing. Holy wowzer – I’m in love!

Tom decided to venture out of his studio for the first time this year, and has never looked back. The first public display of his work took place at Den Fair, where he was awarded ‘Best in Gallery’, judged by NGV’s Ewan McEoin. “I was very humbled to win and more-so as it was the first time I’d publicly displayed my work,” says Tom.

This first experience allowed him the opportunity to expose his work to a few Galleries where he was offered his debut solo show, which opens today. Tom produced the entire exhibition on a sharp 7-week turnaround.

“All my works are hand airbrushed with genuine old-school glass and gas neon lights and acrylic framing – the photos don’t really show the depth and scale of the work,” he says.

Born in Melbourne in the eighties and immersed in graffiti subculture, the debut show for Adair is a refined exploration of the medium, a clear progression from an adolescence spent spraying walls with pressurised paint. The picture-perfect homes dotted across flat dibond surfaces are a personal response of longing for the idyllic family home and an appreciation of architecture influenced by a professional career focused around design and interiors.

Tom standing in front of ‘North facing with palms in the front’ artwork. Airbrush acrylic polymer and neon on dibond, acrylic frame (115x160cm).

Left: ‘Situated in a green leafy street.’ Airbrush acrylic polymer and neon on dibond, acrylic frame (90x125cm).
Right: ‘Superbly positioned in a beautiful tree lined street.’ Airbrush acrylic polymer and neon on dibond, acrylic frame (90x125cm).

‘Gwynne St’ artwork inside Tom’s home designed by Nicholas Murray Architect and Fiona Lynch.

Viewed from afar, his new airbrush works appear as monochromatic colour images from the mid-century architecture era. Tom engages in multiple processes while producing the romantic pieces, first documenting the dwellings using photography and digitally creating halftone renderings before spending countless hours meticulously airbrushing the works by hand. The addition of hand bent neon lights are used to accent each structure and invite the viewer closer to a more intimate level where the swirling electricity and softness of the airbrush can be appreciated on a more personal level.

Tom plays on the idea of viewing distance and the perception of the perfect family when observed from the outside looking in. Similarly, in his work the pieces appear faultless, however, on closer inspection imperfections and reality are revealed. No matter the level of imperfection each home holds the key to evoke an emotional connection, pleasant memories or prompt a narrative imagined by the viewer.

Tom Adair’s debut solo show opens tonight and runs until 29th September at Metro Gallery, 1214 High Street, Armadale.