Tom Fairlamb

Tom Fairlamb creates durational, moving sculptures which blur the boundaries of performance, video, sound and drawing. His interest in the relationship between the living world, human societies and technology is expressed and often subverted in his work, by revealing systems and connections invisible to us, while questioning the boundaries between human and non-human worlds. His exploration of these themes is not always intended to be resolved, instead approaching them with a playful curiosity, and revelling in humorous yet tragic outcomes. Suggestive but not didactic, Fairlamb’s works interweave political and environmental issues to offer the viewer a multiplicity of perspectives. In his most recent work, he has explored concepts of post humanism, often exploring the absurdity of repetition.

Fairlamb (b. 1993) graduated with a Masters in Contemporary Art Practice from the Royal College of Art in 2024, having received a BFA from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in 2023. He was recently shortlisted for VAA Artist of The Year (2025) and has received numerous other awards such as Bloomberg New Contemporaries (2024); The Royal Scottish Academy Stuart Prize (2024); The Alastair Smart Memorial Prize (2023); The Royal Scottish Academy New Contemporaries (2023) and the Visual Arts Scotland Graduate Showcase Award (2023). He has completed residencies including the Island Residency in Estonia in 2025, and at Montclair University in 2022. His work has been exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Art, ICA, London (2025); KARST Gallery, Plymouth (2024); Tate Modern, London (2024) and The Royal Scottish Academy (2024/23). Fairlamb lives and works in Dundee.