Tomo77 is an interdisciplinary artist based in Costa Rica. Driven by the world of circumstance, his work often explores themes of human behavior, capitalism, and pop culture in an immigrant’s context.
Tomo’s love of expression began in graphic design 30 years ago. Out of curiosity and experimentation it has evolved into illustration, painting, collage, and murals.
“My choice of medium comes to me in whatever I’m feeling … English is my second language, and often my ideas are more easily understood through my work rather than my words. My hope, like anyone, is that people connect to my work and reflect on how their own behaviors impact their surroundings.” His work has appeared in exhibitions at La Luz de Jesus, One Grand Gallery, Mortal Machine, along with editorials in Hi-Fructose, Juxtapoz, Gestalten’s Editorial, and AI-AP New York two years running. You can often find him sourcing his latest ideas — people watching with a pen, notebook, and an Americano.
Exhibitions and work:
Panopticon, Stolenspace Gallery, London | 2023
StolenSpace Gallery is excited to open ‘Panopticon’, a solo exhibition by the artist Tomo77. This exhibit explores post-pandemic World, through the device of the “panopticon”. Tomo77 invites the viewer into this world of surveillance and observation, with reflection on the role of the artist.
https://www.stolenspace.com/exhibitions/39-panopticon-by-tomo77/overview/
Pandemonium, Retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art & Design in Costa Rica | 2023
Sala 1:1 , TOMO77, Inauguración: 16 de marzo del 2023, Del 16 de marzo al 27 de junio del 2023
https://www.madc.cr/es/node/2029
StolenSpace Gallery United Kingdom. “Platinum” | 2022
Platinum has long been held as a time honoured symbol of purity and durability, and holds significance this year more than ever. In June, the UK will commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year of reign.
Artists exhibiting:
Amandine Urruty • Bennett Slater • Brusk • Chris Levine • Classic Vandal • Cleon Peterson • Devoner Gonzalez • D*Face • Egs • Geoffrey Bouillot • James Joyce • Jeff Ladouceur • Jun Oson • Kabekui • Kai and Sunny • Kim Jin Woo • Kubirok • Maye + Momies • MonkeyBird Crew • Murmure Street • Shinnosuke Hariya • Tomo 77 • Xavier Casalta
With a calendar full of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, StolenSpace Gallery invites artists and viewers alike to contemplate the wider associations of ‘platinum’, and it’s cultural and visual implications from varying perspectives.
https://www.stolenspace.com/exhibitions/20-platinum-group-show-private-view-1st-june-6-9pm/overview/
Mortal Machine Gallery NOLA “Morte” | 2022
Group show featuring 4 new pieces in 2022.
https://mortalmachinenola.com/collections/tony-aguero
La Luz de Jesus Gallery Los Angeles “Pandemonium” | 2020
Pandemonium is graphic testimony to a year of uncertainty, uproar, and division.
Tomo77, a seasoned recorder of human behavior, capitalism, and social injustice, carries us from the earliest anxious days of the pandemic through more than a year of a society in the throes of political and social chaos.
Working from lockdown in his home perched above the streets of downtown Portland, Oregon, Tomo77 began documenting universal as well as his personal reactions to a period marked by isolation and confusion.
These aggregate expressions move us through the uncharted nature of a pandemic and lay bare the manifestation of our societal plagues: injustice, systemic racism and police brutality. At a time already ripe for collapse and transformation, we witness the uprising of maleficence, political corruption and xenophobic hate groups. While his prophetic style highlights the dangers of unchecked media consumption, abuse of power, and approaching environmental catastrophes, it also prompts us to imagine another way: Light in the darkness, healing and forgiveness amongst the abuse, and togetherness within the division.
https://laluzdejesus.com/tomo77-pandemonium-2021/
MIRUS Gallery San Francisco PHOENIX RISING | 2021
Mirus Gallery San Francisco is excited to announce it’s Grand Re-opening with Phoenix Rising, a group exhibition featuring both staple artists from our past as well as newcomers we hope to brighten our future. We are so excited to celebrate new beginnings with our community at the opening reception on Friday July 16, VIP 6-7, General Admission 7-10pm. During our break, the gallery has been transformed into a ground floor, multi-level exhibition space. Enjoy drinks and music on the roof deck with outstanding views of Downtown San Francisco and the transbay terminal. Phoenix Rising Group Exhibition runs through August 20, 2021. For more information contact info@mirusgallery.com.
http://www.mirusgallery.com/san-francisco-exhibitions/project/4605/
WOXWOW Monochromatic 4 | 2021
WOW x WOW Gallery proudly presents Monochromagic 4, our fourth annual exhibition of monochrome artworks.
For centuries, artists have created monochrome images and sculptures. By limiting the colour palette to just one, the focus for the artist, and in turn the viewer, becomes more direct and encourages deeper contemplations and closer connections with the colour, form, texture and techniques of an artwork. The artists participating in this exhibition are all brought together through their affinity for monochromatic exploration and simultaneously via a shared passion for the language of surrealism and fantastical narratives. The absolutely intriguing monochrome wonders you will behold, have unfurled from truly masterful imaginations and are loaded with enigmatic and enchanting magic: ‘Monochromagic’.
https://wowxwow.com/monochromagic-4
Mortal Machine Gallery, “Once if Memory Serves Me” | 2021
Inspired by both French Poet Arthur Rimbaud’s “A Season In Hell” and Jung’s Definition of “The Shadow”. Rimbaud's self published masterpiece was an agonizing journey of excess and damnation that has influenced multiple generations. The Shadow, is the unknown side of ourselves which we are not fully conscious. This collection of works will explore these heavy contrasts and enigmatic themes. The perfect subject matter for the French Quarter, where excess and mystery mingle on a nightly basis. https://mortalmachinenola.com/collections/once-if-memory-serves-me-group-show
Out of Touch, Subliminal Projects, | 2020
Out of Touch unites artists, nonprofits, and patrons by contributing aid to COVID-19 relief and to the social revolution. 30% of the proceeds will be split between Color of Change, dedicated to racial justice, and Heart to Heart International, providing medical aid worldwide.
Salt & Vinegar, La luz de Jesús | 2020
Continuing our tradition of non-themed summer group exhibitions, La Luz de Jesus Gallery is pleased to present “Salt & Vinegar” Why Salt & Vinegar? Because frankly, who doesn’t love a delicious Salt & Vinegar chip. Featuring the artwork of Bijijoo, Gabe Lanza, Jason Herr, Sherri Rogers, Sun Mi, TOMO77, & Vivien Chung.
Fears, One Grand Gallery,Portland Oregon | 2019
“This show is the culmination of a year’s work. Part of my inspiration came from realizing that living in the United States, I had new fears that aligned with what I felt were collective fears unique to this country. The show is a testament to the fact that despite being deeply personal, fears are also widespread and cultural - from mass shootings to mass surveillance, nuclear war, racial profiling, environmental catastrophe, call-out culture, loss of love and belonging - how do we cope in an age of anxiety?
http://www.ogpdx.com/past-1/2019/8/30/the-incredible-tony-aguero
NøISE/Shepard Fairey/Tomo77/ 7” Limited edition Vinyl
“I have been friends with John Goff for 25 years. He was a fan of my art, and used to generously help me print. We often bonded over music from the Melvins, to Kraftwerk, to RUN-DMC. John has been a musician most of his life, playing in several different music projects over the years, including SSI which is a collaboration between John and his brother Will. When I started DJ’ing John would help me with the production of remixes. Eventually we started producing some music together, and with the valuable addition of Merritt Lear and Joe Cassidy, we formed NØISE (noiseprojectla). This 7” and print are based on a couple of NØISE remixes of select portions of SSI’s fourth album, Resurrectionem Ex-Mortuis. The lyrics are a response to social and political toxicity, symbolized by a tumultuous relationship. I love the combination of art and music, and it was great to collaborate with everyone, including @tomo7701 who did the 7” back cover art.”
– Shepard Fairey
Hi-Fructose Magazine December | 2020
The Vr infused installations of Ciane Xavier, the paintings of Cam Rackam, the dystopian illustrations of TOMO 77, cover artist Miss Van, the darkly humor-filled art of David Fullarton, the dynamic murals of Joram Roukes, the poignant illustrations of Felicia Chiao, an intensely inorganic shopping trip to the immersive Omega Mart, and a look at the history of performance art activism of Guerrilla Girls plus a 16 page insert on the art of Matt Furie printed on fine toothy paper, and more! 124 pages, full color.