A BRADFORD artist has paid tribute to the NHS and Captain Sir Tom Moore in a series of paintings and drawings reflecting life in lockdown.

Tom Dobson, 32, used Telegraph & Argus cuttings to create striking collages and has painted views of his garden, a train depicting his pre-lockdown commute to Leeds, and a half demolished pub, the Prince of Wales on Harrogate Road, which he says “sums up 2020”.

Tom and his brother Ryan started a film-making course at the University of Leeds but shortly afterwards the first lockdown took place. Although he was able to continue with his studies, Tom had more time at home and used the opportunity to dig out his paints, sketchbooks and canvases. Over the following months he produced a variety of artwork, from paintings of his Fagley garden to holiday destinations that are now fond memories.

“When Covid began and I was spending more time in my room I was thinking of subjects to paint when it suddenly became obvious. I started painting what I could see out of my window,” said Tom.

“Then I extended to related topics expressing my feelings in lockdown. finishing with tributes to the NHS.”

Particularly striking are Tom’s large collages, which he created as tributes to the NHS. “The newspaper backgrounds are articles from the T&A about Covid and its impact in Bradford. One collage shows a nurse in a mask, another shows a person in a gas mask, perhaps likening the pandemic to living during a war,” said Tom’s mother Lynne Dobson, also an artist. “He has also created a large collage paying tribute to the inspirational Captain Sir Tom Moore. Maybe, time permitting, we will see Tom create some 2021 images of hope.”

Tom is from a family of artists. Lynne was inspired by her artist father, Geoffrey Greenwood, to start painting as a child, and they exhibited work together. “He encouraged me to enter art competitions,” said Lynne, an art teacher, who has also exhibited work with Tom and some of her other children.

Lynne delivers art in children’s education and as therapy for adults with mental health and addiction problems. In 2019 she and her daughter Kyra ran art therapy sessions at the Vault Recovery Cafe at Bradford’s Bridge Project, which provides a safe, supportive venue for people who are in recovery. “Some people had never held a paintbrush or pencil before, yet with encouragement and group involvement have discovered hidden talents, producing impressive artwork,” said Lynne.

* For more about Tom’s artwork email motleytom1988@gmail.com