My current work continues an exploration of men—their bodies, personas, desires, tensions, and intimate connections. I often juxtapose contemporary images with those from my archives, creating layered compositions that suggest new narratives. These pairings, sometimes found by chance, invite viewers to contemplate relationships that seem to defy time and space. Collaboration is also central to my process, including my ongoing partnership with ceramic sculptor Michael Biello. Through these images, I aim to open portals through which men can be perceived in expanded dimensions—beyond surface, stereotype, and chronology.
My journey began photographing performance and dance artists in Philadelphia, which soon evolved into studio work deeply shaped by the AIDS epidemic. Rather than documenting, I drew upon my background in film and theatre to construct staged environments—spaces where vulnerability, desire, and resilience could coexist. Created during a time when the shadow of AIDS loomed large over the gay community, this work both confronts that loss and celebrates the enduring spirit of play and defiance that persisted amid despair.
Tom Moore is currently based in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, after many years in Philadelphia. In addition to his artistic practice, he has taught photography, curated exhibitions, and led fundraising initiatives for several non-profit organizations. Moore has served on the boards of AIDS Delaware, Tilt Institute for the Contemporary Image, The Photo Review, and The Print Center. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and is included in public collections such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Pennsylvania State Museum, and Lehigh University. A full résumé is available upon request.
MFA Photography, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
BA Communications and Theatre, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Millersville University, Millersville, PA
2023
Tea Dance 1980, Biello Martin Studio, Philadelphia, PA
1995
Apollonian Re-Views, The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
1993
Apollonian Re-Views, Delaware Theatre Company, Wilmington, DE
1991
Recent Work, Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA
1989
Staged Portraits, Book Trader Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2025
holy.body, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
In the Soft Light, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2018
Members Exhibit, Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA
Innovative Means Photography from the Collection, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA
2014
Philadelphia Photographers: 1975-1985, Santa Bannon Fine Art Gallery, Bethlehem, PA
2010
Daydream Nation, The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA
1994
Faculty Exhibit, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Group Exhibit, Carspecken-Scott Gallery, Wilmington, DE
1993
Photography Twelve, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ
Photographs from the Collection of Carlton Willers, University of Iowa Art Museum, Iowa City, IA
Fronts + Backs, Paul Cava Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Group Exhibit, Silver Eye Center for Photography, Pittsburgh, PA
1992
Group Exhibit, Trenton State College Gallery, Trenton, NJ
Group Exhibit, Puchong Gallery, New York, NY
Group Exhibit, Neikrug Gallery, New York, NY
Faculty Exhibit, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Group Exhibit, Kampo Cultural Center, New York, NY
Group Exhibit, Zone One Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1990
Young Americans, F/Stop Gallery, Bath, U.K.
Imprints, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA
Imprints, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Faculty Exhibit, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Dark Light, Susan Isaacs Gallery, Wilmington, DE
Group Exhibit, Zone One Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1988
Fantasy, Illusion and Grotesque, Sykes Gallery, Millersville University, Millersville, PA
Group Exhibit, Port of History Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Persona, Level Three Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Art Fighting AIDS, Port of History Museum, Philadelphia, PA
63rd Annual Competition, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
1987
Group Exhibit, Janvier Gallery, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Selected Photographs, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
Photography Six, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ
1986
Group Exhibit, Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Fine Art Photography 86, North Museum, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
62nd Annual Competition, The Print Center, Philadelphia, PA
1984
Woo World Performance Views, Morris Gallery, The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1982
Woo World Performance Views, Marion Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1980
Facing the Mask, University Gallery, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
