The Leeds artist filming and painting every sunrise in 2021

Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds plans to film the sunrise every day in 2021 before painting each one for his new project called '365.'
By Mark Lavery
Published 15th Feb 2021, 06:00 BST
Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony JohnsonArtist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony Johnson
Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony Johnson

Tom, 23, of Burley, leaves his house each day before dawn and walks up to 15 miles to get to and from the best vantage points across the city to film sunrises.

He plans to edit dozens of hours of footage to create a film of all 365 sunrises.

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Tom, who graduated from Leeds Art University in June 2020, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Signature Art Prize for a previous art project called 'The Object and You.'

Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.'Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.'
Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.'

Tom said 'The Object and You' film highlights the downfalls of living life online, while his '365' project is about living life "in the moment."

'The Object and You' is based on Tom's personal experience of the negative impact that social media can have on mental health.

It consists of a film and eight poems documenting his thoughts on the subject during 2020.

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Tom, who is one of more than 20 artists working at Assembly House Studios in Armley, said: "I go out every single morning and film each sunrise and then I take that back to the studio and I paint the colours of the sky I saw that morning.

Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.'Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.'
Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.'

"By the end of the year there will be a film which will be a documentation of every single sunrise in the year and also a collection of 365 oil paintings.

"I go on massive walks each morning to find new locations. I set off at 6am and get there about 7am.

"As the year goes on I will be having to wake up at 2am. My body clock will change with the seasons."

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Speaking about his 'The Object and You' project, Tom said: "It is about the impact of the internet and social media on the user's mental health.

Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony JohnsonArtist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony Johnson
Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony Johnson

"It comes from my personal perspective of being an avid user of social media in the past.

"It is a story of loneliness, isolation and narcissism in a world of social media.

"The online world can be a scary place. You are basically presenting yourself to thousands of people to look into your life in search for some sort of validation.

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"In the latest project I'm choosing to live presently and reconnecting with the world around me. I'm not using social media anymore."

Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony JohnsonArtist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony Johnson
Artist Tom Newhouse from Leeds is filming the sunrise in locations across the city every day in 2021 before doing a painting of each one for his new project called '365.' Photo: Tony Johnson

Commenting on being shortlisted in the photography and film category of the Signature Art Prize competition, Tom said: "I feel incredibly humbled by it.

"I'm extremely grateful to have this sort of recognition."

Related topics:LeedsArmley

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