Removal and Emergence: The Art of Matthew Tohmé

The Newman community was excited to welcome visiting artist Matthew Tohmé to campus for an art exhibition and a series of student discussions. This offered a rare opportunity for students in Newman’s Lower, Middle, and Upper School Divisions to appreciate new art and speak with the artist himself about his work and process.

 

With the restoration and modernization of the historic Jefferson Building busily underway, Associate Head of School Dr. Jen Wilson’s home is serving as a temporary gallery space this year. The result was a warm and intimate environment that proved ideal for displaying art and having conversations.

 

The visit began October 28 with a well-attended gallery reception for Tohmé’s current collection, Dans le Jardin Sauvage, or In the Wild Garden. New Orleans-based artist Matthew Tohmé creates dynamic mixed-media works exploring material, perception and transformation. Pushing materials beyond their intended use, he layers paint, studio debris and language in cycles of accumulation followed by erasure. The resulting surfaces invite close observation and are shaped as much by what has been removed as by what remains.

 

In the week following the gallery reception, Tohmé welcomed art classes from across campus to explore and ask questions about his art. Students in 12 different groups expressed deep curiosity about his artistic influences, work process, and finished pieces. Their questions ranged from color choices and media sourcing and selection to tools, process, and explicit and implicit meanings in his work. The students’ insightful questions fostered several lively discussions.

 

We are fortunate to host several artists at Newman and are grateful that they regularly offer to spend days or weeks meeting with our students. Please enjoy the attached collection of images of the art, reception, and class discussions.