Tom Hoar: Catalonia

Born in 1978, the son of an artist and grandson of an architect, Tom Hoar has a natural talent, artistic flair and striking ability practised since childhood.  After a BA Hons degree in History of Art, Tom attended life drawing classes at the Royal Academy and has exhibited with the Royal Society of British Portrait Painters, the Royal Institute of British Artists and the New English Art Club. Establishing a well-respected reputation for immersing himself in his subjects, Tom has exhibited widely.  

His inaugural sell-out show with The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in April 2012 followed a year as their artist in residence, joining the Regiment at Hyde Park Barracks, on ceremonial duties and at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  His acclaimed 'Circus' collections followed, with Giffords Circus in 2013, via travels to Transylvania exploring its gypsy heritage, and a further circus collection in 2015. 

Tom then travelled through Rajasthan, from Delhi to Jodhpur out to the camel fair at the old desert fort in Nagaur in 2016. Returning to Udaipur two years later, his two India shows were both celebrated collections of vibrant light, energy and colour. 

Most recently Tom has turned to the British Isles. Looking to Cornwall, the wilds of West Ireland, the Scottish Hebrides and his local Jurassic Coast in Dorset for his latest show ‘Island Journey’ at Panter & Hall in 2022.  

This latest collection from Catalonia brings Tom back to his architectural roots combined with his ‘love for Spain, the artists, the light and the colours.’  There is a ‘definite pull towards the full-bloodied Spanish artists,’ Tom explains, with his fascination for Velasquez, Goya and the ever-present influence of Sorolla in his work.  

Exploring an area rich in artistic heritage, and a well-known favourite of Salvador Dalí, Tom set out to paint a collection of work capturing the warmth and light of Catalonia’s coastline and its ancient towns with their ‘layers of human experience in the stone.’

Working largely en plein air, capturing the immediacy of the moment within a finite timeframe, Tom explains, ‘it’s important to be direct.’ 

‘To me painting is about feeling and whether you can convey that. Feeling is everything. This is why I’m drawn to Spanish painting – this is what the Spanish artists are all about.’  

With the intensely creative time he spent in Spain, Tom’s love for his subject shines through this keenly personal body of work.  In his own words, there is ‘more of yourself’ in a successful painting. They are paintings ‘to be enjoyed.’  We are delighted to be showing this stunning new collection by this immensely talented British artist.