New Bedford native brings whimsy to mundane city scenes

If you live in the area, you have likely seen his work but may have never questioned who “#tombobnyc” is and how a NYC artist came to grace so many local streets and buildings with his art.

Thomas Bobrowiecki, known affectionately as “Tom Bob”, has spent much of his life chasing his dreams in New York City but he comes from more humble beginnings. Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1962, Tom earned his bachelor’s degree from UMass Dartmouth in 1984. He moved to New York shortly after to immerse himself in the art scene and spent a large portion of his life working as a freelance artist there.

He is perhaps best known for his whimsical street art that adds a bright, playful air to locations and man made fixtures that would otherwise look drab and lifeless. He refers to these as symbol pieces, as there is depth and purpose behind the art that exceeds the boundaries of his work.

“I believe the abstract symbol paintings comment on this fast-paced, visually bombarded, information-driven world. Who are we? There are six billion people on Earth, each different but together we are one. The answer is in the mystery of everything.”

The one theme that runs constant throughout his work is ‘balance’. In life and work, Tom says he seeks to do several things:

– build up rather than tear down

– give rather than take

– go out on a limb rather than crave security

On the purpose of his work in whole, Tom claims, “It’s about letting everyone in and being part of the conversation.”

For more of his work, visit his Instagram page.