While we slumbered is a painting that takes its name from Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "The Golden Echo". The artwork explores the relationship between humanity and nature, highlighting the tension and disconnection that can exist between the two. The man depicted in the painting is shown naked in a tree, his flesh contorted and entwined with the fleshy branches. The use of high key white and blue tones creates a sense of tension and unease, suggesting a gradual breakdown of the idyllic state of Eden. Through this work, Tom Gibbs invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature and to consider the potential consequences of neglecting it.

Inspired by Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "That Nature is a Heraclitean Fire and of the comfort of the Resurrection", Away grief's gasping is a painting that depicts a man in the fetal position, sitting on an abandoned car seat in the Australian bush. The soft blue and green tones of the painting evoke a sense of vulnerability and fragility, inviting the viewer to consider the impact of human actions on the natural environment. The contorted posture of the man suggests a tension and disconnection between humanity and nature, highlighting the potential consequences of neglecting the natural world.

In "Wherever an elm arches," I explore the relationship between the human form and nature, using contorted and open postures to reflect the tension and disconnection that can exist between the two. The subject of the painting is a man lying naked in the Australian bush, surrounded by a forest of young silverbirch trees. His eyes glance at the viewer, conveying a sense of vulnerability and intimacy.

The painting draws inspiration from Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "That Nature is a Heraclitean Fire," which describes the constant state of flux and change in nature. In "Wherever an elm arches," I sought to capture the vulnerability and transience of the human form against this backdrop of perpetual change.

Despite the gloomy environment, there is a soft warm and hopeful glow in the background. This suggests that while the relationship between humans and nature can be fraught with tension and disconnection, there is always the potential for connection and renewal. Through this series, I hope to encourage reflection on our relationship with nature and the potential consequences of neglecting it. These paintings invite the viewer to consider the impact of human actions on the world around us and to appreciate the beauty and fragility of the natural environment.

In this painting, I explore the theme of the eternal and regenerative power of nature, as expressed in Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "God's Grandeur". The painting depicts a man curled up in a fetal position in the midst of the Australian bush, surrounded by the lush greenery of nature. The man's body is a small but significant presence in the vastness of the landscape, emphasizing the enduring power of nature in the face of human transience. The painting's warm earth tones and open composition suggest a sense of optimism and hope. Through this painting, I invite the viewer to contemplate the beauty and resilience of nature, and to consider the ways in which we can nurture and protect this precious resource for future generations.

Sirens is a painting that continues my exploration of the relationship between the human form and nature. In this work, a woman is depicted without clothes, walking towards the hills in the horizon. The warm tones of the woman's skin contrast with the cooler green earth tones of the background, emphasizing the tension and disconnection between the two.

I created this artwork for my friend Ben Abraham's album launch, also called Sirens. The album explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. Through this painting, I aimed to capture the emotional landscape of the album and reflect on the fragility of the human experience. The brushstrokes with flood drips in the horizon add a sense of uncertainty and chaos to the piece, reminding us of the potential consequences of neglecting the natural world.

Sirens invites the viewer to reflect on their own relationship with nature and the impact of human actions on the environment. It reminds us of the beauty and fragility of the natural world and encourages us to appreciate and protect it.

For the Land that Bred Me is an exploration of my personal connection to the natural world and the land that I call home. The title is taken from a poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins, which speaks to the deep bond between a person and their place of origin.

The artwork is a double exposure image of a man wearing glasses in a shirt, superimposed with an image of a forest. Through this juxtaposition, I aim to convey the interconnectedness of human beings and nature. The use of muted blue tones in the oil painting creates a sense of calm and introspection, inviting the viewer to contemplate their own relationship with the environment.

Ultimately, For the Land that Bred Me is a tribute to the power of nature and its ability to shape us as individuals. It is a reminder to cherish and protect the land that sustains us, and to recognize our responsibility as stewards of the earth.

"The world is charged" is an oil on canvas artwork created in 2011. A naked man is depicted in a void-like space, hunched over at the bottom left-hand corner of the painting. The background showcases an array of bright colors swirling through the atmosphere. The composition creates a sense of tension and dynamism, with the figure seemingly struggling to maintain his balance amidst the charged environment.

This artwork was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Metro Art Prize, a $50,000 art prize for emerging artists. It was created as part of the Eden Unravelled series, inspired by the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. The painting explores the idea of the charged energy that underlies all of existence, and the struggle to find one's place in such a powerful and overwhelming universe. Through the use of color, composition, and subject matter, "The world is charged" invites viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the natural world and the forces that shape our lives."