Tom Wilmott selects 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty. Published in 1971, the novel portrays the wildly disturbing behaviour of 12 year old Regan, whose mother seeks help from a plethora of medical specialists until, in desperation, she arranges a priest to perform an exorcism of her daughter to cast out the devil. In a fascinating and deeply personal reading of the book, Tom sees the devil as a stand in for depression. We discuss the lengths to which he has shaped his practice in a dedicated effort to keeping his own destructive side at bay and maintain mental wellness. Resulting in a non-commercial art practice, his unique approach has also given rise to charitable initiatives including Painting Pro Bono and Painting Per Diem. (Mixed Tapes is an introductory series recorded in lockdown with variations in audio quality.)

TOM WILMOTT

- tomwilmott.co.uk

- instagram tomrtwilmott

BOOKS

- 'Tell Them I Said No' by Martin Herbert

- 'On Being an Artist' by Michael Craig-Martin

- 'On Truth' by George Orwell

ARTISTS / GALLERIES

- Agnes Martin 1912-2004

- After Nyne Gallery

- Bedwyr Williams (featured on 'Chats in Lockdown' with Emma Cousin podcast Episode 11 May 2020)

- Douglas Gordon b.1966 (represented by Gagosian Gallery, '24 Hour Psycho' 1993, 'What Have I Done' solo exhibition at Hayward Gallery, Between Darkness and Light (After William Blake) 1997 featured double sided film showing 'The Exorcist', 1973 directed by William Friedkin and 'The Song of Bernadette', 1943 directed by Henry King)

- Ed Harris (directed and starred in 'Pollock' 2002)

- Robert Motherwell 1915-1991

- Helen Frankenthaler 1928-2011

- Robert Ryman 1930-2019

- Rosalind Davis (featured on 'Art Fictions' podcast Episode 2)