Aberystwyth University alumnus in semi-final of Landscape Artist of the Year

Tom Voyce

An Aberystwyth University Fine Art graduate has reached the semi-final of Landscape Artist of the Year, which airs tonight (Wednesday 29 November) on Sky Arts at 8pm.

Tom Voyce graduated with first class honours from the School of Art in 2012, and went on to complete a Masters in Fine Art in 2014.

Tom was one of 48 professional and amateur artists selected for the televised heats of the competition.

The sixth and final heat of the series, screened on Sky Arts channel on Wednesday 22 November, saw Tom pitted against three other amateur artists and four professional artists.  The heat took place on the tidal island of Worm’s Head on the Gower Peninsula, Pembrokeshire, where the contenders had four hours to capture the coastal scene on canvas.

Only seven artists now remain and tonight’s semi-final, filmed at Castle Farm in Kent, sees the semi-finalists capturing the scene of the lavender fields that cover 90 acres of land.

Tom, who is also an art and design teacher at Cheslyn Hay Community High School, commented: “I can definitely say that I enjoyed my time in Aber, and especially at the School of Art. I had fantastic tutors who helped me develop and grow, both within my practice and as a person. It absolutely set me up for afterwards. 

“After completing my Masters, I was fortunate enough to work at the School of Art as a technician. This allowed me to make full use of the department anytime, and also to gain valuable experience teaching at HE level. This enabled me to go as a visiting lecturer to Huanghuai University in Zhumadian, China - a wonderful experience that prepared me to enter the world of teaching.”

Dr June Forster, tutor at Aberystwyth School of Art, said:  “Tom took his inspiration from the local landscape and would return time and time again to a location, scrutinising the seasonal shifts in colour and mood and seeking unusual compositions. He understood the importance of researching the techniques of his favourite artists and of continually drawing from observation.

“Always eager to join in extra classes throughout his time at the School of Art, on one memorable occasion he accompanied first-year painters to a stormy, rain-driven Borth and produced a wonderfully atmospheric study, in his shirtsleeves, while everyone else sought shelter!  Watching him at work on TV, it is great to see Tom working so enthusiastically and with the same love of paint he showed as an undergraduate.”

Hundreds of entries were received for the 2017 Landscape Artist of the Year competition, which highlights artistic talent from every corner of Britain and Ireland, and how the British countryside has inspired past and present generations of artists.

The winning artist will receive a £10,000 commission to paint the panorama from Firefly, the Jamaican home of celebrated playwright and artist, Sir Noël Coward, and £500 worth of art materials from Cass Art.

Last year’s Landscape Artist of the Year competition saw another Aberystwyth alumnus, Kim Whitby, reaching the final of the competition.

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