Themes+Projects gallery presents Tour Rider, new portraits by Tom Tor. This marks Tom’s second solo exhibition with the Themes+Projects since his 2016, Icons + Innovators show.

Tour Rider continues Tom's exploration with his unique process in “mapping” a face with layers of branded icons and imagery as dots and pixels. Inspiration for each portrait stemmed from the tour rider itself, a document that includes a set of rules that a performer sets as criteria for a performance. This includes all requests or demands either for the artist's comfort or the technical details needed to perform. Upon closer inspection, one will notice the portraits are built up these elements. These riders sometimes unmask the obsession to specific brands and products, depicting the true personality and character of the performer.

Artist Bio

Tom Tor entered the United States after fleeing the Killing Fields of Cambodia as a child, learning English on the streets and beaches of southern California. Educated at UCLA and Art Center College of Design, Tor has worked in design and as a Creative Director for the past 20 years. He has worked at advertising heavyweights Ogilvy & Mather (NY), TBWA/Chiat Day (LA), McCann Erickson in Tokyo, and Global Work, one of the largest fashion apparel companies in Japan.

Tom Tor is the recipient of the United Nations Award of Excellence in Geneva, the International Human Rights Award, and Design of Excellence Award and currently resides in Tokyo, Japan.