Emerging artists can often struggle with their first steps in the real world, but Thomas Cameron seems to be taking it all in his stride.
Having graduated from Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design only last year, this month sees him hold his first solo exhibition at The Sutton Gallery on Dundas Street.
Looking around this exhibition, I was left wondering what he sees in a building or a view that I don’t. I’d never look at a bike shed on a dark night and think that it would make a wonderful painting.
The same goes for a kebab shop, a laundrette and a Tesco Express, but Cameron embraces these scenes and has an incredible eye for detail.
He doesn’t ignore something because it’s mundane; he manages to draw something out of it and create a work of art and quite possibly improve the scene that he is depicting.
Look at ‘Moon City’, for example. This odd-looking building would probably be ignored by most, or at least be painted as an eyesore, but Cameron sets it in a moonlit scene and creates a curious image full of wonder.
‘Satellite’ is another example. A dull house is made far more interesting through the use of colour and shadows.
Cameron uses photography as a starting point, which is why his paintings always seem caught up in a moment and partially explains how he creates something out of nothing.
In ‘Steps at Sunset’, this is a moment in time caught on one particular day. Yes, it could be painted over several days or from memory, but Cameron wants that exact moment to be captured and replicated.
The previously mentioned bike shed appears in ‘Bike Shed in Snow’. I found it fascinating how the fluorescent lighting from the the striplights pours out into the car park like a stream of water. This is a wonderful painting and my favourite of those on display.
Most of Cameron’s work is set in an urban environment but there are some signs that he may branch out to something different in the future. Some of the smaller and very fine oil-on-plywoods are signs that he can paint in a different style and environment (see ‘The Swimmer' and 'Clouds over the Forth’, for example) and I’d like to see more larger works like this.
'Deck Chairs at Sunset' is perhaps the laid-back star of the show and is positioned in the window for all of Dundas Street to admire. It reminded me of America, and I can imagine that when Cameron is done with Scotland, California would be the perfect setting for him.
Judging by all the red dots around the gallery, he has a bright future ahead and I’m eager to see what he does next.
There’s less than a week left of this exhibition, so catch it while you can.—Rhys Fullerton
Thomas Cameron’s solo exhibition continues until 26 September 2015 at The Sutton Gallery (18a Dundas Street). Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 11am–5pm. Admission free.
