Gommie
Inside the Studio with Gommie
Ahead of Gommie’s solo show at The Art Office Gallery we visited his studio in Oxford for a behind the scenes look into his work.
Gommie is a contemporary British artist known for his unique blend of poetry, visual art, and social commentary. His work is characterised by the use of simple illustrations accompanied by handwritten text, often reflecting his thoughts, experiences, and observations on life.
Gommie’s artwork can be seen as a form of visual poetry, where words and images are inextricably linked, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Speaking to the human experience, he has a talent for capturing the anxieties and contradictions of contemporary life in a way that resonates with a broad audience. His work addresses themes such as mental health, relationships, politics, and societal norms, delivered with a mix of humour, irony, and sincerity.
Known for his long walking trips around the UK, Gommie’s art is profoundly shaped by the people and landscapes he encounters along the way. His map-based works and writings reflect a deep engagement with community, place, and the shared stories found in everyday life.
Stepping into his studio feels like stepping into his mind - notebooks, maps, and poems line the walls and floors, with painted fragments of thought in every corner.
The exhibition at The Art Office was a showcase of his recent work, maps and sketches, including a new series of work titled ‘Overshare’ - a social commentary of 2024 inspired by a trip to London. With over 50 canvases, the series can be viewed as a whole piece, or taken in one by one, poem by poem, poking fun at himself and others with a dark humour and raw honesty.
I wanted to make a series of work that has a sense of escapism because the world as it stands is an incredibly violent place. We see violence domestically and abroad and the stress that causes is undeniable. So to make a series of work that allows the audience member to let go of some of that stress and have a laugh, poke fun at themselves and poke fun at other people is incredibly important. That is silly. That is simply whimsical. And remind ourselves that we will not be divided. And we stand strong. And we laugh, and we still find joy and take the mickey out of each other. And that everything is going to be ok.
Gommie trained and worked as an actor before moving into the visual arts in 2016 as a response to Brexit. He quickly made a name for himself, with his work being acquired for the Soho House collection, winning a mentorship with Kate Bryan and producing solo shows with Messums Gallery and Daniel Raphael Gallery. In recent years he’s worked with Hauser & Wirth, Bonhams and mental health charity CALM. In 2022 Salamander Street published a collection of his poems and sketches called “I Am Ill With Hope”.
Other Articles
Thinking about introducing art into your space?
From homes to workplaces to social spaces, art has the power to shift how environments are seen, felt and remembered.
If you’re shaping a space and exploring the role art could play, we’d love to hear from you.
