Have a look at Thomas Newton's Slideshow
What's your name? Thomas Newton
Where are you from originally and where are you now?
I was born in Poole, Dorset but have lived and worked in Swansea since 1987.
What medium / media do you work in?
I currently work in a completely digital environment, though had I the physical space to throw paint around and build things I'd quite like to give that a go sometime.
How would you describe your work?
My work is fundamentally based around the arbitrariness of time and how we relate to it in our industrialised society. Ultimately I am aiming at producing art that temporarily collapses space-time for those who come into contact with it, though I'm ready to admit I may not achieve that in this lifetime.
What are your influences and inspirations?
Anything that moves freely, moves me.
Which piece are you most proud of and why?
If I'm not satisfied with what I do, it gets deleted without question. If I had to pick one thing it would probably be my first time-altered film 'Flatland'. It looks quite rough now, and the soundtrack was put together in under two hours from old DAT tapes, but the timeshear shots of the fish still are still a joy to behold.
Have you had any exhibitions - if so, where? Do you have any planned in the future?
I have an exhibition coming up in the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea which will run from March 8th to April 2nd 2006. There will be a launch at 7pm on the 9th where I will preview my second film, 'Wingbeats'. I have two floors booked in the Grand Theatre, Swansea in September, though I haven't yet finalised what work I will be showing.
Please give a brief description of one or two of the projects you've worked on recently.
'Wingbeats' is based on an idea I had while watching seagulls fly around the sail bridge in the marina, which is the generation of music from the flightpaths of birds using software I developed myself. I'd been involved in music for many years, even had my 15 minutes of fame on BBC Radio1, though always found experimental composition more exciting as you can never predict the outcome.
What are your views on the current arts scene nationally and in South Wales?
I don't really have any views on any scenes, and nationalism in any form can never be constructive. I can only say that the best place and time to be doing what really fires you up, is right here and now.
Website: www.timestream-arts.com
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
