Born in 1959, Long Branch, New Jersey, Tom Hoitsma a multidisciplinary artist now lives and works in Dallas. Raised just outside of New York City, Hoitsma pursued a fine arts degree at Skidmore College, where he had the transformative opportunity to intern with the celebrated feminist artist Miriam Schapiro and study under Dr. Harry Gaugh, a leading authority on abstract expressionist painters.

 

These experiences profoundly shaped Tom's artistic vision and continue to influence his sculptures and paintings today.

After graduating from Skidmore in 1981, Tom worked for the prestigious Barbara Gladstone Gallery in New York City. Immersed in the vibrant SOHO art scene of the early 1980s, he was inspired by a burgeoning group of artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Cindy Sherman, and Jenny Holzer. Despite these contemporary influences, Tom's primary inspiration remains rooted in the abstract expressionist movements he explored during his college years.

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In the mid-1980s, Tom relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he expanded his creative pursuits to include documentary filmmaking. His diverse body of work now encompasses metal wall sculptures and large-format gestural abstract paintings, alongside award-winning music television series, such as the enduringly popular documentary series "The Texas Music Scene", which continues to air throughout the country.

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Artist Statement

Metal Sculptures - Heart of the Matter
"In October 2019, my kids and I learned a brutal lesson about the climate crisis when a super tornado ripped through our Dallas neighborhood. Dallas used to see one tornado each year. For the last few years that number had tripled, and the intensity of the tornados has increased. The destruction and devastation were surreal, but witnessing our community's resilience was profoundly moving. Events in our lives can break our hearts but somehow, we are not defeated. The twisted metal strewn across the wreckage became a metaphor for the human spirit's ability to create joy from loss and beauty from tragedy. These sculptures, born from the tragedy of the 2019 tornado, embody the unstoppable healing power of the human heart. Initially crafted from debris collected from my neighborhood, these materials became too limiting, leading me to fabricate metal that mimics the original tornado debris. Like these sculptures, our hearts get tangled, bruised and battered but still remain full of hope and joy.”

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After two and a half years of sole focus on his metal wall sculptures which the artist calls ‘a complete right turn’ even though he studied sculpture in college, Hoitsma felt a pull back to painting. Prior to the 2019 event and his return to his original art practice, his art journey so far full of twists and turns had evolved into a practice of painting very large acrylic and latex paintings on custom canvases. With wide framing his abstract landscapes could be equated to wall installations. 
Hoitsma’s 'Woven' paintings are an extension of his previous work but foremost his metal sculptures. His inspiration has a consistent thread of creating beauty from discarded, damaged, or dismissed materials. In a world that often seems crazy and divisive, Hoitsma finds solace in exploring themes of destruction and rebirth, creating beauty from chaos and hope from despair.

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Personal Journey and Artistic Process
Tom's journey is marked by resilience and reinvention. A horrendous car wreck at age 30 led to a life-threatening hepatitis C infection, yet these setbacks kept him grounded and grateful. His life changed profoundly after the 2019 North Dallas tornado, which inspired his "Heart of the Matter" sculptures. The debris from the storm became a metaphor for the human spirit's resilience, fashioned into hearts that symbolize hope and perseverance.

Raised in a tumultuous family environment, Tom found solace in art, leaving New Jersey for art school in New York. Disillusioned with the local art scene, he moved to Dallas, where he turned his life around, battling and overcoming addiction. His art became a therapeutic outlet, reflecting his belief in finding beauty in adversity.

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Tom's process is deeply personal and reflective. His sculptures and paintings are born from a desire to create something meaningful from chaos, whether it's twisted metal from a tornado or discarded materials for his woven paintings. He finds joy in the little moments and remains focused on his art and family, particularly his children, Cruz and Pilar, who are his greatest source of pride.

In addition to his visual art, Tom continues to make music with his '80s cover band, The Rewind, showcasing his multifaceted creativity and enduring passion for the arts.

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Selected Exhibitions and Milestones
Solo Exhibits: Showcased across various esteemed galleries including DVH Artworks, Dallas (2023), Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas (2021), and Craighead Green Gallery, Dallas (2019 & 2020).
Hoitsma is currently represented by 9 galleries across the US including Unchained.Art.

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Group Exhibits: Featured in prominent exhibitions such as Art Miami (2021), Art NY, NYC, and Art Aspen (2019).

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Corporate Collections: His works are held in notable collections like the Hotel Intercontinental, New York, and the Westin Hotel, Fort Worth, TX.

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Benefits: Recognized as a featured artist in numerous benefits, including the Art For Advocacy Annual Benefit and the 5x5 Annual Benefit for Missing and Exploited Children in Dallas, TX.

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