Ian Thomson MA
I have been working on a new theme based on Jungian archetypes. Jungian archetypes and the collective unconscious are intriguing ideas that appear to link many elements in diverse fields such as psychology, philosophy, religion and culture. They provide a fertile base for numerous lines of...
The five ton block of superb quality Carrara marble that completely flattened a strong wooden pallet and on which I'm working here, is now in a new home. After reducing it to approximately 3.5 tons, and having had to move workshop, I had it delivered by...
Here I'm sketching, drawing, gilding and painting a portrait. Experimenting with 23.5carat gold leaf to see if I can bring something of the calm and stable spirituality of pre-rennaissance Italy into modern life and contemporary art. The idea is to combine the austere and very...
Work in progress on the Christopher Foyle commission at my studio in Italy....
My time in Mali, undoubtedly had an impact on my life. Perhaps the architectural forms of domes and vaults in mud and stone helped form some of my aesthetic preferences. Also, the sculpture of Mali is powerful in symbolism and visual impact....
Sitting at the window during lockdown waiting for the cars to stop is a great opportunity for quick sketches. ...
On the way down to Italy through France I visited Cezanne's Studio in Aix en Provence. What a lovely part of the world and what a wonderful studio! In Piacenza there is a great little public art gallery where you can see many beautiful works of...
Art, Theology and Symbolism Christianity “Whatsoever is …beautiful…(and pure)…think on these things” Bible Hinduism “I am the beauty of the beautiful…” Baghvad Gita Islam ‘He created the heavens and earth with Truth, formed you and made your forms beautiful…’ Quran (64:3) (But certain forms of Islam eschew figurative representation and use abstract patterns and gorgeous...
In April 2019 I came to Italy to expand my horizons. I came to visit and work at different studios, to meet other sculptors to exchange ideas and working methods, source new marble and tools and to learn anything that could help my art. It is...
I've been reading writings by Heraclitus of "You cannot bath in the same river twice because it's not the same river and you're not the same person" fame. He thinks fire is the basis of nature. One of his big ideas is that change is unavoidable and...