Image: Tom Maguire, Olives & Sponge Taken from Nicks List (detail), oil and spray paint on red oak plywood with pine frame, 62 x 45cm, 2024. Image courtesy the artist.
Shopping List
Tom Maguire
Modbury Hospital and SpARC
12 July – 9 December 2024
In a world which seems to be full of divides and differences of opinion, we are all united in the humble act of supermarket shopping. It is an activity which demands us to stop, take stock of our lives, and to take an inventory of our consumables. From there we inevitably document what we are lacking, in the format of the shopping list. These can either be elaborately categorised by aisle, or hastily scribbled notes on the back of a receipt from a previous shop.
This exhibition continued my exploration of individual painted objects, allowing the viewer to focus on one specific everyday item. The difference with Shopping List is the participation of others in providing me with the subject matter. This may have been consciously through the donation of a shopping list, or inadvertently with the collection of forgotten or abandoned lists found in trolleys and baskets. However the lists come to be in my possession, they provide an element of intimate audience collaboration. Together we provided a glimpse into an individualised record of wants and needs at a specific point in time.
As an artist I’m always thinking of how people view my work. I like to think it makes people smile. My work is serious, but bright, colourful and fun. It’s something people can relate to. Sometimes shopping can be a mundane task and other times it can be a celebration and exciting. I’m hoping this work will bring people together or put a smile on some faces.
~Tom Maguire
This exhibition was part of SALA Festival
Tom Maguire, 'Wonder White Taken from Grandma's List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy the artist.
Tom Maguire, 'Onion Taken from Angela's List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy of the artist.
Tom Maguire, 'Mustard BBQ List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy of the artist.
Tom Maguire, 'Moving List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy the artist.
Tom Maguire, 'Wonder White Taken from Grandma's List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy the artist.
Tom Maguire, 'Onion Taken from Angela's List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy of the artist.
Tom Maguire, 'Mustard BBQ List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy of the artist.
Tom Maguire, 'Moving List' (detail), 2024. Image courtesy the artist.
