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Finding My Inner Cowboy

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SHOP in Stoke on Trent

Over one week artist Tom Marshman developed a new project called Catwalk clothes swap with the help from the passers by and the local community around SHOP, 116 Church Street, Stoke Town, ST4 1BU.
Tom Marshman asked you to donate items of clothing that you no longer wear, he was curious to know the story behind the item?
He asked.....
Did you get the job because of that tie?
Can that old coat warm someone else up?




I spotted it in a shop and fell in love with it. With wry smile, I am harking back to my youth. It’s a dress that is as old as my son, the first dress that made me feel like a lady. We were all amazed by the colour - in the late 90's we were all getting a bit excited about colour. It reminds me of the better times... I took the trousers out, I took them dancing to the last summer ball. I have tried it on, on several occasions, but it’s never been the dress. I can imagine someone really pulling it off though. I was going through a red phase; it’s never been danced in and never been worn, it never really fitted properly. Buying the scarf was not planned. Sometimes you just want an extra touch... Medium is too big and small is too small - I’m at that awkward point. I still like it but I wouldn’t wear it. You can’t hang on to everything forever.

The Passion of the Pole

In this controversial piece, performance artist Tom Marshman confronts the taboo subjects of mental disorders and religion, juxtaposing the last hours of Jesus Christ (The Passion) and pole dancing. The pole becomes a crucifix, a site for Tom to expose and execute his anxieties with crude honesty. Tom Marshman is an Associate Artist at Bristol's Arnolfini.

This is a new show and has previously only been shown in development

The following is from a developmental showing at the Inbetween Time Launch.

Untitled from Tom Marshman on Vimeo.

Artist -in-Residence at ICIA

Credit Carl Newland

Knitting without Tears

This performance was first shown as a work in progress in Coventry as part of Summer Dancing Festival in collaboration with sound artist Darren Pickles and a local group of knitters, who developed a soundscape from the particular knitting sounds.
Tom Marshman has now developed a short performance piece using repetitive movements associated with the action of knitting, based in part on The Knitters Instructional Handbook - Knitting without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman. One of Zimmerman’s key phrases is 'knit on with hope and confidence through all crises’. Tom Marshman is drawn to this phrase: this performance explores how knitting can become obsessive, addictive or aggressive when the knitter’s life is out of control.

The Compliment Bicycle

This is a performance intervention that takes place all over the city. This solo performance where the lone cyclist rides around the city shouting, speaking and whispering compliments at pedestrians as they go about their daily lives. The complement bicycle is a one man charm machine [Tom Marshman] he is a stylish dresser and rides a nice bike.
Commissioned by the Bristol Cycle Festival.
Performed by Tom Marshman
Filmed and Edited by Vivi Mimola

The Compliment Bicycle from Tom Marshman on Vimeo.