"After a somewhat tumultuous year of personal and professional upheaval, about four months ago I gently encouraged Toby to get back into his studio; to reflect, take a deep breath, and do what he does best – paint.

Like most of us, lockdown was tough for Toby for so many reasons. But working from this basement studio, he has produced what I believe are some of his most beautiful and tender paintings to date.

This series of gentle, domesticated works features his much loved stepdaughter, Irene. And while the subject matter is homely and intimate – following the observed at-home discoveries of a young child exploring in the garden, talking with her cat, playing, and simply chattering to her parents – these paintings are by no means clichéd or benign.

Instead, they are pure, bold expressions of the unrelenting will of human beings to push against sadness, despair, hopelessness – and fear – at a time of monumental upheaval against a raging global pandemic; a glimpse of much needed normality, calm, and pure innocence."

–Scott Lawrie, Director