Tomos Sparnon
Photograph by Bernard Mitchell /
Ffotograff gan Bernard Mitchell
Born in Wales, 1997
Education
2015-2018 BA Fine Art, Swansea College of Art, Swansea - First Class Honours
Artist statement
Tomos Sparnon uses Biblical and literary references to consider contemporary socio-cultural events, including acts of conflict, injustice and suffering. He uses ancient texts to reflect upon political and geographical events, both ubiquitous and exceptional, and to question progress, authority and motive.
Sparnon’s paintings and sculptures use a variety of media and materials including oil, acrylic, spray-paint, limewood and plywood. The artworks are typically life-size and are designed to generate a relational dynamic with the viewer. Sparnon’s practice includes both figurative and abstract forms, and the interplay of these elements produces an uncertain and often obscure configuration.
The figures in Sparnon’s paintings are situated in mysterious locations, unknown places that echo themes of displacement and territory. The loneliness and isolation of the figures depicted are suggestive of the contemporary refugee but also of the universal search for belonging and meaning in a global age. Sparnon’s practice adopts an almost dreamlike aesthetic encompassing real and imagined, tangible and intangible, familiar and unfamiliar phenomena. These gestures attempt to create a space where ancient and contemporary, religious and secular, local and global perspectives may coexist.
Exhibitions
2022 Dynevor-Never-Land, Elysium Gallery, Swansea
2022 Collecting, The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
2022 Pathways, Mission Gallery, Swansea
2022 National Eisteddfod of Wales, Tregaron
2021 Young Welsh Artists, MOMA Machynlleth, Machynlleth
2020 Criw Celf Artists, Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare
2020 Tomos Sparnon and Owain Sparnon, Canolfan Arad Goch, Aberystwyth
2020 Axe Head to Everything, Volcano Theatre, Swansea
2019 Swansea Open 2019, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
2019 Y Lle Celf, National Eisteddfod of Wales, Llanrwst
2019 Final exhibition of Artists in Residence 2019, Swansea College of Art
2019 Tabula Rasa (Foundation), Swansea College of Art
2019 Tomos Sparnon, GS Artists Swansea (Galerie Simpson), Swansea
2019 Golwg ar Gelf, Cardiff School of Art and Design, Swansea College of Art and Yr Egin, Carmarthen
2018 Swansea Open 2018, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
2018 An image of my degree show artwork exhibited on ‘The Canvas’ on the front of Swansea College of Art’s Dynevor building
2018 Now We’re Here, Swansea College of Art (part of Marc Rees’ 'Now The Hero' theatrical event)
2018 Beep Painting Biennial 2018, Swansea
2018 Theatr Felinfach, Lampeter
2018 Against the Grain, Swansea College of Art
2018 There’s Something in the Water, Galerie Simpson, Swansea
2018 Urdd National Eisteddfod, Llanelwedd
2017 Swansea Open 2017, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
2017 Portraits of Welsh Life, National Assembly of Wales, Cardiff
2017 Tomos Sparnon & Mark Youd, Y Galeri Caerffili, Caerphilly
2017 Summer Exhibition, Fishguard Arts Society, Tregwynt Mansion
2017 Tabula Rasa, Swansea College of Art
2017 Urdd National Eisteddfod, Bridgend
2017 HEART IN MOUTH, Galerie Simpson, Swansea
2017 Open Art Competition, Y Galeri Caerffili, Caerphilly
2016 Golwg ar Gelf, Cardiff School of Art and Design
2016 Art Challenge Wales, Kooywood Gallery, Cardiff
2016 Urdd National Eisteddfod, Flint
2016 Amalgamation, Swansea College of Art
2016 Lampeter Art Trail, Lampeter
2015 Urdd National Eisteddfod, Caerphilly
2014 Raising the Bar, Mission Gallery, Swansea
2013 Artsquad, Pontardawe Arts Centre
Achievements
2022 Winner of the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales Silver Jubilee Development Award
2021 'A search for a contemporary figure IV' purchased by The National Library of Wales for its collections
2020 Winner of the National Eisteddfod of Wales competition as part of the television series 'Y Stiwdio Grefftau'
2020 Artwork used to advertise Swansea College of Art as 1st in Wales for Art & Design in the Complete University Guide 2021
2019 Shortlisted for the Young Artist Scholarship at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Llanrwst
2019 Shortlisted for the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales – Gold Award
2019 One of the adjudicators of the Art Medal competition at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Cardiff
2018 Nominated for 56 Group Wales: Recent Graduate Fellow
2018 An image of my degree show work exhibited on 'The Canvas' on the front of Swansea College of Art, Dynevor building
2018 Artwork used to advertise Swansea College of Art as 20th in the UK for Art in The Guardian League Table 2019
2018 Graduated with a First Class Honours BA Degree in Fine Art (with highest mark in Fine Art year) from Swansea College of Art
2018 Selected to create an artwork as the trophy for the People’s choice Award for Literature Wales’ Wales Book of the Year Competition
2018 Adjudicator in the Open Art competition, Y Galeri Caerffili
2017 Selected to work as an Artist in Residence for three weeks at Rio Grande University, Ohio
2017 Shortlisted for the Young Artist Scholarship at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Anglesey
2017 Highly commended in the Fishguard Arts Society competition
2017 Winner of the Art, Design and Technology Scholarship at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Bridgend
2017 First prize in the Open Art competition at Y Galeri Caerffili
2016 Third prize in the Art Challenge Wales competition
2016 Shortlisted for the Art, Design and Technology Scholarship at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Flint
2015 Winner of the Art, Design and Technology Medal at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Caerphilly
2015 First prize in the Art under 19 competition at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Caerphilly
2015 Design and production of art easel for people with physical disabilities nominated for WJEC Innovation Award
2013 Member of 'Raising the Bar' Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthen
2012 Member of Neath Port Talbot 'Artsquad'
2011 School Artist of the year award
2011 School Designer of the year award
2011 First prize in school eisteddfod art competition
2010-2015 Work shown on Look and Learn and Saatchi websites as part of school competitions
Residencies
2019 Artist at Work at GS Artists (Galerie Simpson), Swansea (ten days)
2018 Welsh medium Artist in Residence at Swansea College of Art (year)
2017 Artist in Residence at Rio Grande University, Ohio (three weeks)
Media
2021 BBC Radio Cymru – interview with Garry Owen
2021 Heno, S4C – Item on Tomos Sparnon and Owain Sparnon
2021 BBC Radio Cymru – interview with Nia Roberts on the programme ‘Stiwdio’
2020 Y Stiwdio Grefftau, S4C
2020 BBC Radio Cymru – interview with the musician Rhys Mwyn on the work of the artist Jamie Reid
2020 Welsh language programme Heno, S4C – item on the exhibition 'Tomos Sparnon and Owain Sparnon' at Canolfan Arad Goch, Aberystwyth
2018 Welsh language programme Heno, S4C – item on my artwork
2017 Urdd National Eisteddfod, Bridgend – media interviews
2015 Urdd National Eisteddfod, Caerphilly – media interviews
Publications
2022 Western Mail – article on my artwork following winning the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales Silver Jubilee Development Award
2020 Friends of the Glynn Vivian Winter Newsletter – my article on recent inspirations
2020 Friends of the Glynn Vivian Spring Newsletter – my article on the exhibition 'Tomos Sparnon and Owain Sparnon' at Canolfan Arad Goch, Aberystwyth
2020 www.galeriesimpsonswansea.com – my article on Jamie Reid's exhibition at GS Artists, Swansea
2019 Friends of the Glynn Vivian Winter Newsletter – my article on Shani Rhys James' talk held at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
2019 Carthen Denau, Cerddi'r Lle Celf 2019 [Poems by Rhys Iorwerth written in response to selected artwork at Y Lle Celf, National Eisteddfod] – poem on my artwork included
2019 Y Stamp Welsh language magazine – article on my artwork
2019 Swansea College of Art prospectus – articles on my artwork
2018 Friends of the Glynn Vivian Autumn Newsletter – my review on Käthe Kollwitz’s exhibition at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
2018 CwmNi Welsh language magazine – articles on my artwork
2018 Golwg Welsh language magazine – articles on my artwork
2018 Swansea College of Art prospectus – articles on my artwork
Positions
2018 to present Director at GS Artists (formerly known as Galerie Simpson), Swansea
2023 to present Chair of the Urdd National Eisteddfod Art Panel
Amdanaf fi
Ganed yng Nghymru, 1997
Addysg
2015-2018 BA Celfyddyd Gain, Coleg Celf Abertawe, Abertawe - Dosbarth Cyntaf
Datganiad artist
Mae Tomos Sparnon yn defnyddio cyfeiriadau Beiblaidd a llenyddol i ystyried digwyddiadau cymdeithasol-ddiwylliannol cyfoes, gan gynnwys gweithredoedd o wrthdaro, anghyfiawnder a dioddefaint. Mae’n defnyddio testunau hynafol i fyfyrio ar ddigwyddiadau gwleidyddol a daearyddol, rhai hollbresennol a rhai eithriadol, ac i gwestiynu cynnydd, awdurdod a chymhelliad.
Mae paentiadau a cherfluniau Sparnon yn defnyddio amrywiaeth o gyfryngau a deunyddiau, gan gynnwys olew, acrylig, paent chwistrell, pren leim a phren haenog. Mae’r gweithiau celf o faint llawn fel arfer ac wedi’u cynllunio i greu deinameg berthynol â’r gwyliwr. Mae ymarfer Sparnon yn cynnwys ffurfiau ffigurol a haniaethol, ac mae’r cydadwaith rhwng yr elfennau hyn yn creu cyfluniad ansicr ac aneglur yn aml.
Mae’r ffigurau ym mhaentiadau Sparnon wedi’u lleoli mewn lleoliadau dirgel, lleoedd anhysbys sy’n adleisio themâu dadleoli a thiriogaeth. Mae unigrwydd ac arwahanrwydd y ffigurau a ddarlunnir yn awgrymu’r ffoadur cyfoes, ond hefyd y chwilio cyffredinol am ymdeimlad o berthyn ac ystyr mewn oes fyd-eang. Mae ymarfer Sparnon yn mabwysiadu estheteg sydd bron yn freuddwydiol ac sy’n cwmpasu ffenomenau real a dychmygol, diriaethol ac anniriaethol, cyfarwydd ac anghyfarwydd. Mae’r ystumiau hyn yn ceisio creu gofod lle gall safbwyntiau hynafol a chyfoes, crefyddol a seciwlar, lleol a byd-eang gydfodoli.
Arddangosfeydd
2022 Dynevor-Never-Land, Oriel Elysium, Abertawe
2022 Casglu, Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru, Aberystwyth
2022 Llwybrau, Oriel Mission, Abertawe
2022 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Tregaron
2021 Artistiaid Ifainc Cymru, MOMA Machynlleth, Machynlleth
2020 Artistiaid Criw Celf, Amgueddfa Cwm Cynon, Aberdâr
2020 Tomos Sparnon ac Owain Sparnon, Canolfan Arad Goch, Aberystwyth
2020 Axe Head to Everything, Theatr Volcano, Abertawe
2019 Abertawe Agored 2019, Oriel Gelf Glynn Vivian, Abertawe
2019 Y Lle Celf, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Llanrwst
2019 Sioe derfynol Artistiaid Preswyl 2019, Coleg Celf Abertawe
2019 Tabula Rasa (Cwrs Sylfaen), Coleg Celf Abertawe
2019 Tomos Sparnon, GS Artists Abertawe (Galerie Simpson), Abertawe
2019 Golwg ar Gelf, Ysgol Gelf a Dylunio Caerdydd, Coleg Celf Abertawe a'r Egin, Caerfyrddin
2018 Abertawe Agored 2018, Oriel Gelf Glynn Vivian, Abertawe
2018 Delwedd o waith fy sioe radd wedi ei harddangos ar 'Y Gynfas' ar flaen adeilad Dinefwr Coleg Celf Abertawe
2018 Nawr Ry'm Ni Yma, Campws Dinefwr, Coleg Celf Abertawe (rhan o ddigwyddiad theatrig Marc Rees 'Nawr yr Arwr')
2018 Beep Painting Biennial 2018, Abertawe
2018 Theatr Felinfach, Llanbedr Pont Steffan
2018 Yn Erbyn y Graen, Coleg Celf Abertawe
2018 There’s Something in the Water, Galerie Simpson, Abertawe
2018 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Llanelwedd
2017 Abertawe Agored 2017, Oriel Gelf Glynn Vivian, Abertawe
2017 Portreadau o Fywyd Cymru, Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru, Caerdydd
2017 Tomos Sparnon & Mark Youd, Y Galeri Caerffili, Caerffili
2017 Arddangosfa Haf, Cymdeithas Gelfyddydau Abergwaun, Plas Tregwynt
2017 Tabula Rasa, Coleg Celf Abertawe
2017 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
2017 HEART IN MOUTH, Galerie Simpson, Abertawe
2017 Open Art Competition, Y Galeri Caerffili, Caerffili
2016 Golwg ar Gelf, Ysgol Gelf a Dylunio Caerdydd
2016 Art Challenge Wales, Oriel Kooywood, Caerdydd
2016 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Y Fflint
2016 Amalgamation, Coleg Celf Abertawe
2016 Lampeter Art Trail, Llanbedr Pont Steffan
2015 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Caerffili
2014 Codi'r Bar, Oriel Mission, Abertawe
2013 Artsquad, Canolfan Gelfyddydau Pontardawe
Llwyddiannau
2022 Ennillydd Gwobr Datblygu Jiwbilî Arian Cwmni Anrhydeddus Lifrai Cymru
2021 'Chwilio am ffigwr cyfoes IV' wedi ei brynu gan Lyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru ar gyfer ei chasgliadau
2020 Enillydd cystadleuaeth Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru rhaglen deledu 'Y Stiwdio Grefftau'
2020 Fy ngwaith celf wedi ei ddefnyddio i hysbysebu Coleg Celf Abertawe fel y 1af yng Nghymru ar gyfer Celf a Dylunio yn Complete University Guide 2021
2019 Rhestr fer ar gyfer Ysgoloriaeth Artist Ifanc Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Llanrwst
2019 Rhestr fer ar gyfer Gwobr Aur Cwmni Anrhydeddus Lifrai Cymru
2019 Un o feirniaid cystadleuaeth Y Fedal Gelf yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Caerdydd
2018 Wedi fy enwebu ar gyfer Cymrawd Graddedig Diweddar Grŵp 56 Cymru
2018 Delwedd o waith fy sioe radd wedi ei harddangos ar 'Y Gynfas' ar flaen Coleg Celf Abertawe, adeilad Dinefwr
2018 Fy ngwaith celf wedi ei ddefnyddio i hysbysebu Coleg Celf Abertawe fel yr 20fed yn y DU ar gyfer Celf yn Nhabl Cynghrair y Guardian 2019
2018 Graddio â Gradd BA Dosbarth Cyntaf mewn Celfyddyd Gain (â'r marc uchaf ym mlwyddyn Celfyddyd Gain) o Goleg Celf Abertawe
2018 Wedi fy newis i greu gwaith celf fel tlws Gwobr Dewis y Bobl cystadleuaeth Llyfr y flwyddyn Llenyddiaeth Cymru
2018 Beirniad yng nghystadleuaeth Open Art Y Galeri Caerffili
2017 Wedi fy newis i weithio fel Artist Preswyl am dair wythnos ym Mhrifysgol Rio Grande, Ohio
2017 Rhestr fer ar gyfer Ysgoloriaeth Artist Ifanc Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Ynys Môn
2017 Clod uchel yng nghystadleuaeth Cymdeithas Gelfyddydau Abergwaun
2017 Enillydd Ysgoloriaeth Gelf, Dylunio a Thechnoleg Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
2017 Gwobr gyntaf yng nghystadleuaeth Open Art Y Galeri Caerffili
2016 Trydedd wobr yng nghystadleuaeth Art Challenge Wales
2016 Rhestr fer ar gyfer Ysgoloriaeth Gelf, Dylunio a Thechnoleg Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Y Fflint
2015 Enillydd y Fedal Gelf, Dylunio a Thechnoleg Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Caerffili
2015 Gwobr gyntaf yng nghystadleuaeth Celf o dan 19 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Caerffili
2015 Dyluniad a chynhyrchiad îsl i bobl ag anableddau wedi'u henwebu ar gyfer Gwobr Arloesedd CBAC
2013 Aelod o ‘Codi’r Bar’ Castell-nedd Port Talbot, Abertawe Chaerfyrddin
2012 Aelod o ‘Artsquad’ Castell-nedd Port Talbot
2011 Gwobr ysgol Arlunydd y Flwyddyn
2011 Gwobr ysgol Dylunydd y Flwyddyn
2011 Gwobr gyntaf yng nghystadleuaeth gelf eisteddfod yr ysgol
2010-2015 Fy ngwaith wedi ei ddangos ar wefannau Look and Learn a’r Saatchi fel rhan o gystadlaethau ysgol
Preswyliadau
2019 Artist wrth ei waith yn GS Artists (Galerie Simpson), Abertawe (deg diwrnod)
2018 Artist Preswyl cyfrwng Cymraeg yng Ngholeg Celf Abertawe (blwyddyn)
2017 Artist Preswyl ym Mhrifysgol Rio Grande, Ohio (tair wythnos)
Y Cyfryngau
2021 BBC Radio Cymru – cyfweliad gyda Garry Owen
2021 Heno, S4C – eitem ar Tomos Sparnon ac Owain Sparnon
2021 BBC Radio Cymru – cyfweliad gyda Nia Roberts ar y rhaglen ‘Stiwdio’
2020 Y Stiwdio Grefftau, S4C
2020 BBC Radio Cymru – cyfweliad gyda'r cerddor Rhys Mwyn am waith yr artist Jamie Reid
2020 Heno, S4C – eitem ar arddangosfa Tomos Sparnon ac Owain Sparnon yng Nghanolfan Arad Goch, Aberystwyth
2018 Heno, S4C – eitem ar fy ngwaith celf
2017 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr – cyfweliadau â'r cyfryngau
2015 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd, Caerffili – cyfweliadau â'r cyfryngau
Cyhoeddiadau
2022 Western Mail – erthygl ar fy ngwaith celf yn dilyn ennill Gwobr Datblygu Jiwbilî Arian Cwmni Anrhydeddus Lifrai Cymru
2020 Cylchlythyr Cyfeillion y Glynn Vivian – fy erthygl ar ysbrydoliaethau diweddar
2020 Cylchlythyr Cyfeillion y Glynn Vivian – fy erthygl ar arddangosfa Tomos Sparnon ac Owain Sparnon yng Nghanolfan Arad Goch, Aberystwyth
2020 www.galeriesimpsonswansea.com – fy erthygl ar arddangosfa Jamie Reid yn GS Artists, Abertawe
2019 Cylchlythyr Cyfeillion y Glynn Vivian – fy erthygl ar drafodaeth Shani Rhys James yn Oriel Gelf Glynn Vivian
2019 Carthen Denau, Cerddi'r Lle Celf 2019 (Rhys Iorwerth) – cerdd ar fy ngwaith celf
2019 Y Stamp – erthygl ar fy ngwaith celf
2019 Prosbectws Coleg Celf Abertawe – erthygl ar fy ngwaith celf
2018 Cylchlythyr Cyfeillion y Glynn Vivian – fy adolygiad ar arddangosfa Käthe Kollwitz yn Oriel Gelf Glynn Vivian
2018 Papur Bro CwmNi – erthygl ar fy ngwaith celf
2018 Golwg – erthygl ar fy ngwaith celf
2018 Prosbectws Coleg Celf Abertawe – erthygl ar fy ngwaith celf
Safleoedd
2018 i'r presennol Un o gyfarwyddwyr GS Artists (Galerie Simpson gynt), Abertawe
2023 i'r presennol Cadeirydd Panel Celf Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Urdd Gobaith Cymru