Tom Butler creates his showstopping collages using a whole range of materials; in his imaginative hands a section of a crossword puzzle may become a block of flats, a wine bottle, or a church spire, and this unique approach adds intrigue, resonance and a touch of humour to every scene.

In 2004, Tom and his wife took a holiday in the South of France and visited a beautiful town called Uzès. He was mesmerised by the light, colour and textures - the bright awnings and parasols amongst weathered stone buildings, shuttered facades and crumbling masonry and 'les publicités anciennes' - huge, faded adverts from bygone days that used to be hand painted onto the sides of buildings. Tom says: "Maybe this is where my attraction to having text within a painting began.” Over the years travel has continued to be a strong influence on him, from Paris (where his wife is from) to New York, Havana and of course Venice. He loves to travel and discover new places and has recently been inspired on the Cornish coast.

Biography and work by Tom Butler