Tori Thomas
Consumed
Charcoal on paper, 48x52”, 2020.
Consumed, is a self reflective piece exploring the way I make and interact in my environment. My work often tries to navigate the complexities of portraying people who are in my life. The act of making can often be vulnerable and difficult to capture. I often bend or invent space to house figures and communicate something about who they are. In my work I utilize forms of connection, whether by line, overlapping form, or color, to portray myself and my friends in the act of making.
In 2017, Tori received her BFA in Psychology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. During those years Tori briefly indulged her urge to pursue art. However, after grappling with perceived career prospects and her own agency she gave up, ultimately choosing a path in psychology. The following two years, Tori worked as a behavioral therapist in a rural Pennsylvania town, much like the one she grew up in. Tori relocated to Philadelphia where she decided to leave her job and pursue a career in art. Tori is obtaining a BFA in Painting and Drawing with a minor in Art History. Tori is becoming known for her figurative works, often focusing on internal states and interaction between figures. Tori’s work incorporates elements of drawing and line to create physical connections between figures. Tori employs a variety of materials and techniques to create a visual synthesis of covert thoughts and relationships between figures.