Life Inside the Frame – A Visual Tour of Tom Suhler’s Contemporary Fine Art

In the Smoke Collection, I combine dancers, aerialists, nudes and smoke to create compelling and complex imagery. This video is a visual guide that leads you through some of the forms, characters and stories each with different relationships, struggles, emotions and perspectives.

I visit many different types of art exhibits and spend countless hours thinking about what makes one engaging. A brief guide that provides just a little bit of context is one of the elements I appreciate. I don’t want to much information, just a nudge in a general direction. Then I can explore the art on my terms. There is always time to find out more about the art and artist later. This video is crafted to be that kind of a nudge.

Life Inside the Frame tries to get the viewer to engage a work by exploring many of the different pieces that make up the whole. Then looking at the work in its entirety.

Another element I like is something that gets me physically engaged with art. My Changing Perspectives piece works in this manner and is something that audiences seem to enjoy.

Sounds & Sights from Tom Suhler’s Original Smoke Set

For over two years I worked on developing ideas, stories, imagery and forms with one common element, smoke. This video gives you a brief look at the final step in the creative process for me. I worked alongside some very talented artists who are dancers and aerialist to bring those thoughts to life.

This is a rare look onto my sets as they are closed to the public. I find that restricting the set to only the artists involved helps foster an environment that is beneficial for the creative process. One that is safe for everyone to try things without worrying about failing. This is very important when attempting things that have not been done before.

Sounds & Sights lets you listen in on brief snippets between myself and the artists as we transform thoughts into physical scenes. The audio is overlaid with stills consisting of test shots, rehearsals and final images.

I will be returning to the studio this Spring to continue my exploration of smoke.