Reviews for Cynthia Tom

Cynthia Tom's work is both haunting and celebratory, rooted in heritage
and inspired by imagination. From the emotional resonance of her Angel
Island series to the rich textures of "Woman w/ Spinning Chairs," Tom
consistently matches real-world with whimsy to create transcendent art.

Ron Curran
Editor and publisher, San Francisco
BANG! Magazine 2001

Article about Cynthia Tom by Jonathan Farrell, Chronicle 2004

A pair of golden eyes greeted me as I walked in the lobby of the Pacific Professional Building. (California Pacific Medical Center)

Through the automatic sliding glass doors those golden eyes on a large canvas welcomed me to an array of paintings that are part of the over 50 works by native San Franciscan artist Cynthia Tom.

Along with those eyes which is entitled "Conscience Explored" are paintings that pulled me in to study further.

Surrealistic in style and full of vibrant expression the works speak of the subconscious and have an intuitive element that sparks interest.

CPMC has been host to local artists for over 15 years and in the beginning when the building first opened we worked with art galleries," she said.

"Galleries were expensive when they took their percentage, she added, so the physicians who own this building decided to feature and look for artists on their own."

"Artists in the Bay Area are fields a plenty," she exclaimed. Their process for featuring art has evolved and as it is now, the physicians have a committee that meets formally once a year to curate the year’s exhibitions.

"We don't take a commission yet we welcome artists to donate to charitable organizations," Vidaurri said. Baffled as to the mystery of why some works sell and others don't it was revealed that Tom has sold two painting so far.

Painting is what Tom has been doing since 1995, yet the development and journey of her art goes back much farther.

As a kid "my Mom was always helping us create things with scraps and discarded items neighbors would pass on to us." This is how Tom learned to find delight in discarded things and turning them into objects of art.

Mixed media is how Tom describes her early work. Learning the creative process from not only her Mom, but also from her from Dad, Richard. "My father was always the guy with the garage door open making art and enjoyed chatting with neighbors who stopped by," Tom remembered.

He sculpted and made pottery applying new interpretations to ancient techniques. A man of varied talents and interests, he liked jazz (among his favorites was Fats Waller) "his essence was enlightening...art, music and humor," Tom said.

It seems the eclectic element is the thread that inspires her painting as Tom said, "I try hard to work by pure intuition and aesthetic, without intent."

Eager to have a painting evolve she works without a finished concept. Beginning with one object that inspires and then another, Tom can have several painting evolving at once. "I have five to ten paintings going at the same time so I don't feel stuck," she said.

Off to one side walking past the elevators in the lobby Tom has a series of paintings that does have a definite theme. Entitled "Anomaly In The Veil," this series attempts to lift the veil of silence that surrounds the Chinese Immigration Experience on Angel Island which was from 1910 to 1940.

Angel Island a hiking spot for tourists, is not too far from the famous Alcatraz . Unknown to most casual visitors is that it was once used as a detainment center, sort of an Ellis Island for the west coast.

The discrimination and unfair treatment the arrivals received while on the island, did not reflect the ideals of democracy and freedom. Their detainment was more like prison.

Many of the detained were brought to the west coast to be "wives" and "sons" to carry on a family name. These people had literally been purchased and brought to the United States.

It was while looking into family history that Tom discovered the experience of her maternal grandmother Hom Shee Mock. Tom found that her grandmother was bought by her grandfather.

Like so many immigrants who were at Angel Island, the exact details of their past were suppressed and there was resistance to discussion about it.

The series Tom created that includes the painting of her grandmother was taken right from a ‘mug shot" in a collection of photos that she was able to obtain from the National Archives in San Bruno.

The "Anomaly In The Veil" is really part of a much larger effort that Tom and other artists have contributed to as a testimonial for the Chinese Cultural Center.

Vidaurri who found the series moving said, "I was amazed to learn that Cynthia has family that has been here in San Francisco for more than three generations." "I wish Cynthia was able to do more on that series, because everyday (in the lobby) I see how it touches people, she said" "Perhaps new immigrants recognize something of their experience," Vidaurri wondered.

There is more to her series of these paintings as Tom said, "we could not fit all the portraits." The Angel Island experience is "confusing and very sad." Mentioning how difficult it was to get permission to use the photos/artifacts and tell each story, "there is usually fear of exposure and shame so (the relatives) are too reluctant to give permission," Tom said.

Like Vidaurri Tom also noticed the impact the series has on people. "I (too) have noticed how it touches people," she said. Tom hopes to have the series shown on Angel Island in the building that was the immigration station. "I'd like to take my Mom's siblings there," she said.

As one who treasures venues like ArtSpan's Open Studios and looks forward to it each year, Tom said, "In my studio, I get so much feed back."

Recognizing the healing power of art, Vidaurri would agree as she said, "Having art here is very helpful." Vidaurri noted that over the years there have been patients asking about a particular painting or piece and wanted to buy it.

Hoping to one day devote all of her time to nothing else but art and support herself on that alone Tom is confident in her endeavor. As she said, "I believe my work has the potential to heal. During my Open Studios, my work often inspires deep impromptu therapy sessions. It's made me rethink what my art is meant for."

Not sure if at some point, she will pursue a degree to become a therapist. Tom does know art is her life. As she said, "I feel I am on the right path."

For more information about "Anomaly In The Veil" and other works by Cynthia Tom visit her website at: www.cynthiatom.com.