ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Hayley Tompkins's Digital Light Pools and Painted Objects in Glasgow Exhibition

exhibition · 2026-04-20

In Glasgow, Hayley Tompkins presents her Digital Light Pool series, which she creates by pouring acrylic paint into shallow trays. These trays feature both single colors, such as blue, fawn, and lemon-yellow, as well as multi-colored combinations that form organic shapes. The exhibition is part of the GENERATION showcase and takes place in a Victorian townhouse owned by Douglas Gordon. This version of her work, which first appeared at the 2013 Venice Biennale, includes artificial food items. Tompkins's artistic style incorporates muted greens, ochre shades, and vibrant sherbet hues on everyday objects. Additionally, the display features box-framed photographs from 'Visuals Unlimited,' reflecting mediated experiences. Tompkins, who rose to prominence in the 1990s, also creates paintings on inexpensive paper and walls, with the exhibition benefiting from the summer sunlight and reflections.

Key facts

  • Hayley Tompkins's exhibition includes Digital Light Pool works created by pouring acrylic paint into trays.
  • The exhibition is part of GENERATION, a nationwide showcase of contemporary Scottish art.
  • It is installed in a Victorian townhouse in Glasgow owned by Douglas Gordon, where the Common Guild operates.
  • Tompkins added artificial food items like a plastic sandwich for the Glasgow iteration, which debuted at the 2013 Venice Biennale.
  • Her practice involves painting everyday objects such as mobile phones, twigs, and plastic bottles.
  • The display includes box-framed photographs from online suppliers like 'Visuals Unlimited' with images of rainbows and seascapes.
  • Tompkins emerged in the 1990s alongside peers Cathy Wilkes and Tony Swain.
  • The article was published in the October 2014 issue of ArtReview.

Entities

Artists

  • Hayley Tompkins
  • Cathy Wilkes
  • Tony Swain
  • Wolfgang Tillmans
  • Douglas Gordon
  • Kate Moss
  • Joe Scotland

Institutions

  • Common Guild
  • Venice Biennale
  • GENERATION
  • Studio Voltaire
  • ArtReview
  • Visuals Unlimited

Locations

  • Glasgow
  • Scotland
  • Venice
  • Italy

Sources