A SEDUCTIVE and repulsive look at consumerism is the subject of the debut show by Colchester-based artist Thomas Dilloway.

He’s the latest graduate of the Colchester School of Art to win the end of year award, the prize of which includes space at Cuckoo Farm Studios rent free for a year, a bursary from the Colchester Art Society, and an exhibition at the Minories in the centre of town.

Opening last Friday, Thomas’ show, entitled Popaganda, is an eclectic spectacle of unusual items, collected, made and gathered to pose questions about our consumerist throwaway culture.

“The idea for the show comes from shame really,” he smiles. “When I was younger I used to buy all kinds of stuff and then when I was a little older and went travelling I realised I didn’t need any of it. So the show is really about looking at different notions of value.

“For example I have a whole stack of golden gummi bears sculptures in the exhibition, which came from an old mould someone chucked away. I told them rather than throw it in the bin, it should be recycled and then I saw it and thought ‘actually, that’s a decent mould, I’ll have that’.”

The symbolic notion of this consumerist culture runs throughout Thomas’ show from enticing gallery-goers into the exhibition space with his vibrant colourful corporate designed logo to a section which mirrors an average living room and the various items it might contain.

Halstead Gazette: Thomas Dilloway at the Minories

Thomas adds: “At the end of my degree I was looking at how something seductive can be repulsive at the same time, and I’ve followed that idea through how we buy things and the value we place on that.”

Born and brought up in Great Leighs, Thomas, 31, undertook a number of jobs before re-discovering art in his late 20s.

“I was a waiter, landscape gardener, I did all kinds of jobs,” he tells me. “But I was always interested in art. It was when I started making stuff at home my mum found the course at Colchester and signed me up.

“I did a two year foundation, and then a three year degree, which I graduated from last summer, on my birthday, which is also when I found out about the award, so an all round good day I would say.”

Popaganda runs until May 24. Entry to the High Street galleries is free and is open Mondays to Saturdays, from 10am to 5pm.

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