Fine Art Sculptor.
Ian Thomson MA
Ian Thomson MA
2023. Studio time, “Noumenon”. Theme based upon Jungian Archetypes.
2022 Royal Society of Sculptors membership. (MRSS)
2022 Foundry work, Mariani Bronze Foundry, Pietrasanta, Italy.
2022 Teaching art groups at Chawton School and Creative Café, Hook.
2021 Portrait bust commission, Lord David Wolfson (“Next” Shops).
2020 Portrait bust commission, Christopher Foyle (Foyle’s Bookshop).
2019 to 2020 On tour in Italy: working in the studios of Pietrasanta and Seravezza.
2018 Sculpture commission, Jackson Hole, USA. “Surrender”, Marble.
2018 Saatchi Art, saatchiart.com (Representation by. Continuing).
2018 Portrait bust commission, “Marley”.
2017 Foundry Work, Arch Bronze, Winthorpe Rd, London. Portraiture.
2017 Cold Casting Bronze: Scenic Sets, North End Rd, London, Petersfield Av, Slough.
2016 Karry Gallery, Rive Gauche, Paris. (Representation by).
2015 Portrait bust commission, “Siobhan”.
2014 Combustus Magazine, New York, U.S.A. (featured artist).
2013 to 2014 Public commission: marble war memorial, Slough High St, Berks “Freedom”
2012 Commission, “Nike”, marble.
2010 to 2011 MA, Human Values and Contemporary Global Ethics, King’s College, London.
2009 Recommendation: A. Paolucci, Director of the Vatican Museums.
2009 Lecture on sculpture, Women’s Institute, Quay Arts Centre, Newport, I.O.W.
2009 Belgravia Gallery, Albemarle St, London. (Representation by. Cont.)
2009 ArtBridge Online Gallery, Cork St, London. (Representation by. Continuing.)
2009 Senior Youth Arts Tutor, London Borough of Hillingdon.
2007 Lecture on sculpture, Quay Arts Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight.
2004 to 2007 Studio For Sacred Art, Quarr Abbey, Ryde, I.O.W. (Residency)
2004 Published book illustrations: “A Deep and Subtle Joy”, by Dom. Luke Bell.
2003 Liverpool Cathedral (Solo Exhibition).
2003 Battersea Contemporary Art Fair, London.
2003 Published book illustrations: “Flight of the Pterosaurs”, by Norman Thomson.
2002 Battersea Contemporary Art Fair, London.
2002 The Affordable Arts Fair, Battersea, London.
2002 Kendall’s Fine Art, Cowes, Isle of Wight. (Joint exhibition.)
2001 to 2002 Walk This Way Quarr Abbey, Ryde. (Solo exhibition and Residency.)
2001 to 2004 Luscious Conceptions Gallery, Windsor, Berks. (Representation by).
2001 Mural commission, Slough Community Centre, Pinkneys Green, Slough.
2000 Sculpture art group leader, MENCAP, Windsor.
2000 to 2001 The Studio Gallery, Datchet, Berks. (Representation by).
1999 National Association of Master Letter Carvers membership.
1997 to 1999 Sculptor and letter cutter: architectural and monumental.
1997 Project manager on development projects (various), Mali.
1994 to 1996 Architect on development project, Central Marketplace, Mali.
1994 Stone carver architectural and monumental sculpture.
1994 Art teacher, Westgate School, Cippenham, Berks.
1994 Illustrations for Monopoly Marketing, Windlesham, Surrey.
1993 to 1994 Sculpture Course, Langley College, Berks.
1993 Stone carver, architectural and monumental sculpture.
1992 Antique restoration and product design, Dubai.
1990 Architectural surveys of Buddhist monasteries, Nepal.
1989 BA (Hons) in Architecture, Thames Polytechnic, Dartford.
From 2019 to 2021 living in Italy to expand my horizons, I sculpted marble full-time at different studios, to meet other sculptors, to exchange ideas and working methods, to source new marble and tools and to learn anything that could help my art. I worked at Artco Association Arkad, Studio Pescarella and Laboratorio Spadaccini. I visited many others including Sem, Cervietti, La Polveriera, Stagetti, Angeli and Barattini and interacted with many wonderful artists and artisans.
With Abbot Cuthbert formed a centre of excellence and for the production of fine art for sale and commission. In addition to bronze/resin busts, bas-relief casts, and ceramic plaques, a stone figure of St. Benedict over two metres high was commissioned and now stands in front of the Abbey.
In the “lofty and restful space of the Chapter House in Britain’s largest Cathedral”. A series of six sculptures, with concept sketches, anatomical drawings and photographs of work in progress.
“Ian Thomson has spent six months living with the monks, sharing their daily prayer, and carving six works in a monastic outbuilding. The stone sculptures have evolved from the artist’s reflections in the light of September 11. They have a monumental character with an expressive strength deriving in part from their firm grounding in a recognisable tradition.” – Fr. Alexander Tingay.
Influenced by Greek and Egyptian sculpture, Michelangelo, Rodin, Degas, Manzu and Maillol; also Brancusi, Hepworth, Moore, Mitoraj, Blumenfeld and Pomodoro. Also by his mother, an artist of note (Venice Biennale).
Plays jazz saxophone semi-professionally in various bands.
Karate has always been a way of life, the way of loosing “self” and a way of keeping fit.
Classical and Russian literature and artists’ biographies.
Writing: Articles including: “Art, Theology and Symbolism”, “Technology and Authenticity”, “A Tolerance for Discomfort in Creativity” (posted on thomsonsculpture.com). Self-published two books of poetry: “The Scale” (picaresque “epic”), and “12 ½ Ounces of Poetry” (short poems).
Extending the love of rock to climbing it: Dolomitic and Apuan peaks, including free-climbing Cima Grande, Lavaredo.
Fluent in Italian good in French adequate in German and Spanish poor in Bambara.
Maintaining contact with ex-colleagues in Mali, he retains a basic level of involvement in a micro-finance venture for a women’s cooperative, and a help centre for child workers.