An exhibition & artist talk
Holly Louise Tomlinson
Beyond the Human Divide: The Marvellous Fantastical
This exhibition has finished. It ran at our Leeds studio from 15 to 21 May 2026.
Artist talk 15 May 2026 · Open exhibition 16–21 May 2026 · 4:00pm to 6:00pm daily
The exhibition
Where history meets hybridity
Step into a realm where the hierarchies of nature dissolve and the bizarre feels unsettlingly familiar. Holly Louise Tomlinson invites you into a world of “satirical ecologies”—a space where smooth, luminous oil surfaces reveal a theatrical evolution of the human form.
This is more than an exhibition; it is a playful subversion of our place in the world. Through crisp edges and bold, dreamlike compositions, Tomlinson’s work challenges us to look past our human-centered lens and rediscover the instinctive, animal roots of our shared history.
The work
A luminous uncanny
Tomlinson’s practice is a masterclass in the surreal and the satirical. Her paintings are populated by hybrid figures—creatures that exist in the fluid margins between human and animal.
- Theatrical clarity. Every stroke is a controlled detail, creating scenes that hum with a playful yet unsettling energy.
- Evolutionary thought. Drawing from social history and biological whimsy, her work questions the very structures of our existence.
- Vivid storytelling. Set within timeless landscapes, these pieces act as windows into a past and future that never was, yet feels entirely real.
In her words
Holly Louise Tomlinson, exhibiting artist, May 2026I am interested in the strangeness of human existence. By blurring the line between us and the natural world, we are forced to remember exactly where we came from.
Experience the collection
Dates and times
- Fri 15 MayFinished
The Artist Talk: The Mechanics of the Marvelous
Join Holly Louise Tomlinson for an intimate discussion on the intersection of curatorship and creation. She will delve into her process of working with oil to achieve “theatrical clarity” and the historical inspirations behind her satirical ecologies. Perfect for those seeking a deeper intellectual dive into evolutionary art and surrealist thought.
- 16–21 MayFinished
The Open Exhibition: Fluid Landscapes & Hybrid Forms
Walk through a curated selection of Tomlinson’s latest works. Witness the interplay of bold colours and crisp, dreamlike scenes that challenge our understanding of social hierarchy and ecological balance.
