Adam Wilson Holmes
The Male Gaze
January – October 2018
Adam Wilson Holmes is a Northeastern fine artist living and working in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. His body of work explores notions of masculinity, social performance, and self advocacy, using a multimedia practice of drawing, sculpture, and performance art. Adam’s upbringing in an ex-pit village in County Durham as a queer person had shaped much of his art practice, which can be seen through tropes of facade and performance, often presenting works with conflicting narratives and truths.
The relationship with the ‘inner child’ is an increasingly important interest within the work of Wilson Holmes, particularly in how it can shape our perception of the self and the world around us. With tongue placed firmly in cheek, artworks become testing grounds for vulnerability and engaging with audience perception as a way to deepen the connection with collective consciousness.
During his residency, Adam delivered a series of artist talks, workshops and tutorials with students.
Students spoke about the value of Adam's tutorials and how it was helpful to them. Adam was engaging and insightful and spent a significant amount of time with them.
EXHIBITION
The Male Gaze
March 2023
Our inaugural artist in residence preview celebrated the playfully challenging work of emerging fine artist Adam Wilson Holmes.
Wilson Holmes presented selected drawn works made throughout his six month residency at Durham Sixth Form Centre that explore and question themes of gender, sexuality and sensuality through the re-appropriation of traditional fine art paintings.
Representing a resistant force to the patriarchy has always been a theme within Wilson Holmes’ practice. Striking a balance between appreciating male beauty, and simultaneously creating satirical dialogues of masculine gender constructs.