About Dom Holmes

Dom's work explores the human connection with nature, in particular in city environments during this time of climate crisis. Drawing inspiration from plant- and wild-life found in their immediate urban neighbourhood, their large-scale oil paintings depict the power and importance of our local ecosystems and the relationships we can have to our immediate environments, both physically and emotionally.

Visually, Dom's works are inspired by the simple imagery of urban nature - an overgrown rose bush or a window box filled with tulips, or an overhanging fig tree on the side of the road - combined with elements of the impact of the city itself; pollution, built up streets, light pollution, street lights and concrete all influence not only the vegetation that can thrive in spite of the conditions, but also the light, tone and texture, and the compositions that emerge. Working on a large scale, utilising traditional oil painting techniques to give a sense of grandeur and classicism to these simple, organic forms, and create something timeless from a fleeting, short-lived moment of beauty, Dom uses glazing techniques to create a richness to the pieces, working for weeks and sometimes months at a time on each piece. 

Dom's paintings are exhibited regularly, and has been shortlisted for the NEAC in 2023. Their pieces are in private collections across the UK, North America and Europe, and has been shown notable art fairs, galleries and exhibitions worldwide, including London Ultra with the Free Painters and Sculptors group, Mall Galleries, Stolen Space Gallery, Swanfall Art and Flux.

Dom was awarded the Audience Choice award at the 2023 Swanfall Art ‘Through The Looking Glass’ exhibition at London’s Mall Galleries for my work ‘White Peony’, and in 2022 they created the award-winning design for the Royal Mint's commemorative coin celebrating 50 years of Pride in the UK.