The life and artistic legacy of Tom Hume, a beloved former art teacher from Stockton, is being celebrated in a comprehensive retrospective exhibition at Ushaw Historic House in County Durham. The exhibition, which showcases more than six decades of Hume's work, has been lovingly co-curated by his widow Barbara, who spent two years meticulously organizing her late husband's extensive body of work following his sudden death in 2023.
Tom Hume died at the age of 81 after suffering a cardiac arrest while swimming in Seaham Harbour. His unexpected passing left behind a vast collection of artwork that spans portraiture, figurative subjects, and abstract works. The current exhibition features an impressive array of oil paintings, detailed sketchbooks, and preparatory drawings that demonstrate Hume's dedication to his craft throughout his lengthy career.
The exhibition came about through a bittersweet coincidence of timing and tragedy. Mrs. Hume revealed that they had applied to have an exhibition at Ushaw just four nights after her husband's death. Initially, the plan was simply to display a collection of some of his larger paintings. However, when the first available date turned out to be two years away, they decided to transform the concept into a full retrospective, giving Mrs. Hume the time needed to properly catalog and present her husband's life's work.
For Mrs. Hume, who also attended art college, working on the exhibition became an unexpected source of healing and discovery during her grief process. "It was very strange because I'm going through a massive bereavement," she explained. "We walked out of the house, he put his paintbrush down, he thought he was going to come back in an hour and finish painting. I think the exhibition actually kept me going." The project provided her with both purpose and a deeper connection to her husband's artistic mind during one of the most difficult periods of her life.
One of the most remarkable discoveries during the preparation process was the finding of approximately 50 sketchbooks that Mrs. Hume had never seen before, some of which are now featured prominently in the exhibition. These previously unknown works provided intimate insights into Hume's creative process and personal thoughts. "Suddenly, I felt as if I was in his head and I was learning things about him because of what he'd written," Mrs. Hume shared. "Tears would flow, but also it gave me a focus. He didn't talk to me a lot, we just understood each other without much discussion. Reading those was the most wonderful thing, really, it was just like going through somebody's diaries."
Throughout most of his career, Tom Hume dedicated himself to education, serving as the head of art at Middlesbrough High School where he inspired countless students over the years. His impact on young artists became evident when the exhibition opened in November, as many of his former students attended the opening, creating what Mrs. Hume described as a "lovely" reunion that demonstrated the lasting influence of his teaching.
Andrew Heard, visitor programs manager at Ushaw, praised the significance of Hume's contribution to the art world, stating: "Tom Hume's work represents a lifetime's devotion to art, not only in his own practice but through the many students and fellow artists he inspired. This exhibition is a moving tribute to his vision and vitality." The venue's recognition of both Hume's artistic achievements and his educational legacy underscores the multifaceted impact he had on his community.
Mrs. Hume reflected on her husband's humble nature, noting that he would likely be surprised by the attention his work is receiving. "I really don't know what Tom would think [of the retrospective] because he had no ego," she said. "He never looked for recognition or money." This modest approach to his art makes the current celebration of his work all the more poignant, as it represents recognition that came not from self-promotion but from the genuine appreciation of those whose lives he touched.
The Tom Hume: Retrospective exhibition will continue to run at Ushaw Historic House until January 18, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience the full scope of an artist's lifelong dedication to his craft. The exhibition stands as both a celebration of artistic achievement and a testament to the healing power of preserving and sharing creative legacies.
