Tom Blackwell (b. 1938, Chicago, Illinois; d. 2020, Poughkeepsie, New York) is one of the founders and foremost painters of the Photorealist genre. He was first known for his dynamic, iconic motorcycle paintings of the early 1970s. The rich subject of urban storefront windows featuring mannequins juxtaposed with the reflections of passersby soon became another major theme in his work.
Blackwell is the recipient of the American Academy & Institute of Art and Letters purchase award. He has had numerous solo shows and is represented in major museum collections including The Museum of Modern Art, New York and The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. He painted over 200 works in his career.
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Exhibitions
— Tom Blackwell
Currently On View
Rivaling Reality: 60 Years of Photorealism
at Museum Frieder Burda
28 February — 2 August, 2026
Previous Exhibitions
Photorealism in Focus
at the Rose Art Museum
11 February — 31 May, 2026
Paper Goods
16 November — 21 December, 2024
Election Reflections
A Celebration of American Culture
10 October — 13 November, 2024
Primavera
3 March — 30 April, 2022
Art Miami
SoHo Edition
2 December , 2020— 29 January, 2021
High Fidelity: Anthony Brunelli & the Digital Age Photorealists
14 February — 30 August, 2020
Recent Press
— Tom Blackwell
Tom Blackwell
A pioneer of photorealism visits North Adams
The Bershire Eagle, 20/04/2018
Parrish Art Museum
From Lens To Eye To Hand: Photorealism 1969 To Today
Hamptons Art Hub, 04/08/2017
Photorealism
More Than Eye Candy
Art & Antiques