The Holcombe Tarot

The Holcombe Tarot is a unique 78-card deck that operates within a meta-narrative, presented as the rediscovered work of a fictional British artist, Robert Holcombe, from the early 1970s. This conceptual framework, created by artist Wayne Burrows, explores the interplay between meaning and randomness through a series of collages. The deck's design intentionally deviates from strict traditional tarot symbolism, offering ambiguous imagery that invites multiple interpretations rather than prescribing fixed meanings.

The campaign emphasizes that the cards are not intended for supernatural or occult divination, but rather as a tool for psychological and personal insight through the projection of individual meanings onto their 'random alignments.' This approach aligns with Holcombe's fictional philosophy, which views the ambiguity of symbols as their strength, allowing them to transcend specific contexts and resonate universally. The deck was digitally printed from original 8x10" portrait-format collages by a specialist playing card manufacturer.

Each of the 78 card designs is original, with only occasional overlaps with traditional tarot iconography. The reverse side of the cards features a marbling pattern described as a representation of the pituitary gland, also known as the 'Third Eye,' adding another layer of symbolic depth to the deck's conceptual foundation. The initial run was limited to 100 individually signed and numbered packs, highlighting its collectible nature.

This deck is ideal for art collectors, conceptual artists, and those interested in the intersection of art, fiction, and divination. It will appeal to experienced tarot readers who enjoy working with highly intuitive and ambiguous imagery, rather than strict RWS symbolism. Readers who appreciate vintage aesthetics, surrealism, and a more philosophical approach to card reading will find this deck particularly engaging. It is less suited for beginners seeking a straightforward guide to traditional tarot meanings.

The Holcombe Tarot was created by artist Wayne Burrows, who invented the fictional British artist Robert Holcombe (1923-2003) around 2010. Holcombe's backstory details his fascination with collage, stemming from convalescence during wartime, and his involvement with the Independent Group alongside contemporaries like Richard Hamilton. Holcombe, a radio engineer and planning officer, explored consumerist excesses and unsettling disturbances of ordinary space in his work, which he made under pseudonyms and did not exhibit publicly during his lifetime. Burrows has staged fictional retrospective exhibitions for Holcombe's work, further embedding the deck within this elaborate artistic narrative.