About Tom Rooney
Tom Rooney is a Wirral based visual artist. He creates drawings, paintings and collages that re-examine buildings that are familiar to him. Most notably the Bluecoat and BBC Radio Merseyside. Rooney is fascinated by architecture and the way buildings are ‘laid out’. Rooney sets out to see things from different angles and perspectives, creating layered abstract artworks that reimagine our perception of places.
‘I like looking at things from different angles. I like the process of turning my photos into paintings. Making art makes me feel chilled. I can focus on what I’m making without distractions. I make art for the experience.’
Collaborations & Mentoring
Rooney is part of Studio Me, Blue Room’s artist development project. Through this Rooney has been developing his photography skills with freelance photographer Lucy Bliszko, taking into consideration lighting, framing and composition.
Rooney also received mentoring from painter, sculptor and Shuffle’s artistic director Max Mallender. During Studio Me’s gallery takeover in 2023 Rooney and Mallendar explored collaborative ways to produce 3 large scale paintings depicting the Bluecoat’s facade.
Tom Said - ’Max had lots of good ideas of what I could try out in my art. Max showed me new ways to use materials. I really enjoyed painting in the gallery whilst listening to banging tunes with Max.’’
Recent Projects & Artworks
The paintings below were produced during Studio Me's last Gallery takeover in 2023, where he collaborated with Max. Tom is working on more Bluecoat inspired paintings during his residency in the gallery in March.
’I want people to notice the paintings are of Bluecoat. I want people to see the entrance, the windows and the clock.’’ - Tom Rooney
Awards, Commissions & Exhibitions
Wirral Open, Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead February 2023
Studio Me, Cass Art, Liverpool, October 2022
Wirral Open, Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead February 2022
