Foxglove

Tom Putman studies, decomposes then re-composes objects taken from his everyday environment. His sculptures are often merging mass-produced objects with medieval looking craftsmanship. These objects and compositions convey an anachronic sense of widely available consumables, mostly colorful plastics, sometimes charming, other times odd. Tom manufactures them using digital techniques such as laser cutting, CNC milling and 3D printing. The sculpture Foxglove refers to protection and defense. The lantern and its spikes symbolize the walls that protected cities during the Middle Ages. Inside the lantern hides foxgloves (also known as digitalis), a colorful plant known for its medical but also poisonous properties. These are among the ideas sustaining Tom Putman’s practice, to be simultaneously attractive by the use of colors and familiar materials, but also historically grounded and surprising by the juxtaposition of references. Tom Putman (1994) studied Fine Art at AKI ArtEZ Enschede, The Netherlands and currently lives in Utrecht.