Ian Thomas

In a 20+ year career, Ian Thomas has staged 16 solo exhibitions and had work included in numerous group shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and London. His most recent work reuses materials with a history of parties and celebration – chandeliers, costume jewellery, sequins and the froth of tulle; reworked and abstracted as an ode to every little queer kid who knows the pleasure of playing furtively with their mum’s jewellery box. It is about touch, the transient nature of fabric, sparkle and memory, and a reconnection to childhood escapism and dreams of glamour. Recent career highlights have included a month long residency and solo show at Factory49 in Paris; a commissioned work for the Newtown ArtSeat to commemorate Mardi Gras and curating a group show of queer artists responding to poetry by j.r.waen at Airspace in Marrickville. Ian’s paintings are held in private and corporate collections throughout Australasia and Europe, having been purchased by such varied collectors as fashion designer, Colette Dinnigan and Melbourne’s five star Grand Hyatt Hotel. He is also a featured artist in the new Sheraton Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Sydney.