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Solaris

by Lex Thomas

Lex Thomas’s obsessively detailed paintings and works on paper suggest an atmosphere of ‘Futuristic Nostalgia’. Located simultaneously between Romanticism and Science Fiction Thomas’ work describes unstable worlds that fuse past, present and future. They are meditations on the human condition and explore the fictions man has created in order to deal with his existential predicament.
 
Thomas’ paintings are richly layered with shiny glazes that suspend the imagery within the aspic-like surface. Playing with simulacra and authenticity Thomas’ work is an exploration into the unreliability of reality. An investigation into the construction of the image, while also alluding to its own fabrication, is portrayed with collaging or handmade pixilation and mis-registration.
 
The lost paradise that is captured is both disquieting and fantastical; a disturbing anthropomorphism permeates and while the landscape suggests toxicity it also hints at an ancient past. Thomas explores a retro-futuristic collision of science and nature through fragmented narratives that reference the uncertainties of our present age.
 
 
Born: 1972 in London, England.
 
EDUCATION
 
2007 Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art
  Chelsea College of Art and Design, London.
1996-98 Certificate in Higher Education, Fine Art
  University of the West of England, Bristol.
1995-96 National Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design)
  University of the West of England, Bristol.
1991-94 BA Hons Social Science (2:1)
  Greenwich University, London.
  Dissertation: Art and Religion in the Twentieth Century
 
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND ART FAIRS

2013   Of Truth of Clouds. South Hill Park Arts Centre, Berkshire.
2012 National Open Art Competition. Princes Foundation Gallery, London.
2012 160th Open Exhibition. Royal West of England Academy, Bristol.
2012 National Open Art Competition. Minerva Theatre Gallery, Chichester.
2012 Space//Form. Breeze Block Gallery, Portland, Oregan, USA.
2012 Westworld. Xero, Kline & Coma, London.
2012 Young Masters. Rupert Cavendish Fine Art, London.
2012 Woolgather Art Prize. Cross Street, Leeds.
2012 Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize. Mall Galleries, London.
2012 Rising Stars Prize. New Ashgate Gallery, Surrey.
2012 London Art Fair. Opus Gallery, London.
2012 At Home With The Ludskis. Rio Cinema, London.
2011 Young Masters @ Sphinx. Sphinx Gallery, London.
2011 Lex Thomas: Future Proof. (Solo Show) Opus Gallery, Newcastle.
2011 Heartlands. Downstairs Gallery, Great Brampton House, Hereford.
2011 11:11. East Gallery, London.
2010 Making It / Faking It. Orleans House Gallery, London.
2010 Victoria Stakes 20:20. Victoria Stakes, London.
2010 Dalston Underground Ten Years. Boleyn Boys Club, London.
2010 Fresh Cream 2. Opus Gallery, Newcastle.
2010 Scope. Opus Gallery, New York, USA.
2010 Contemporary Painters. Opus Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
2009 Art Basel Miami Beach. Opus Gallery, Miami, USA.
2009 Visions of Desire. Galeria Espacio, Valencia, Spain.
2009 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Royal Academy, London.
2009 Scope. Opus Gallery, Basel, Switzerland.
2009 Bridge. Opus Gallery, New York, USA.
2009 Drawing with Dolphins. Crimes Town Gallery, London.
2009 Contemporary Painters. Opus Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.
2008 Kounter Kulture. Opus Gallery @ Truman Brewery, London.
2008 Newcastle Gateshead Art Fair. Sage Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
2008 Café Gallery Projects Annual Open. Café Gallery Projects, London.
2007 Pastoral Sliders. Guerrilla Gallery and Brompton Design Project, London.
2007 SaLon 07 - Best of London’s Post Graduates. SaLon Gallery, London.
2007 Free Association. Chelsea College of Art and Design, London.
2007 Artists Multiples. Chelsea College of Art and Design, London.
2007 Black Box. Mobile Gallery, London.
2006 Temporary Autonomous Art. Bristol.
 
AWARDS
 
2012 Woolgather Art Prize (Third Prize)
2012 Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize (Shortlist)
2012 Rising Stars Prize (Shortlist)
2010 Artist Residency at the Cill Rialaig Project, Ireland
2002 Royal Television Society Award
  Shared award for ‘Way With Words’ website. Available Light, Bristol.
2001 BAFTA for Online Learning
  Shared award for ‘Grid Club’ website. Available Light, Bristol.
 
COLLECTIONS
 
Work in private collections in the UK, USA and Germany
Also Origin Gallery, Dublin, Ireland. George and Lizbeth Krupp. Shaun Dew Gibbons. Daniel Kleinman
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 
2012 National Open Art Competition Catalogue
2012 Westworld Catalogue
2012 Woolgather Art Prize Catalogue
2012 Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize Catalogue
2012 Rising Stars Prize Catalogue
2012 The Young Masters Prize short film:
2012 a-n Magazine:
2011 The Journal:
2011 a-n Magazine:
2011 FAD Arts:
2010 The Independent:
2010 Richmond and Twickenham Times and Local Guardian:
2010 The Surrey Comet:
2010 Arrested Motion:
2010 Who's Jack Magazine:
2010 Digital Arts Magazine:
2010 Cherchez la Femme:
2010 Folio Magazine Open (Shortlisted)
2009 Who’s Who in Art, Hilmarton Manor Press
2009 Pamela Tudor-Craig review: ‘Art in time of chaos and despair’:
2009 Fringe MK Annual Painting Prize catalogue (Finalist)
2009 Marmite Prize catalogue of drawings
2008 Tom Jeffreys review on Spoonfed:
 
SELECTED WORK EXPERIENCE
 
2009-2012 Art Tutor
  Providing one to one private tuition in painting materials and techniques.
1998-2006 Freelance Art Worker, Project Manager and Photoshop Tutor
  Aardman Animations, Arthur Cox Ltd, BBC, HTV, among others, Bristol.
2000-02 Art Director, Project Manager and Animator
  Available Light, Bristol.
1999-2000 Designer and Animator
  4:2:2 Videographics, Bristol.
1998-99 Model Maker and Set Builder
  Bolex Brothers Animation Studio, Bristol.
1996-97 Visiting Art Tutor
  Local Education Authority, Bristol.
1996 Gallery Assistant
  Arnolfini, Bristol