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Elizabeth Thomson

b. 1955

Elizabeth Thomson’s elegantly refined works redefine the way we view and consider the inherent beauty of the world around us. All aspects of her practice are meticulous and the technical virtuosity she employs to create the effects of optical illusion are simply breath-taking. Using an inscrutable observation of nature as her stating point, Thomson convincingly recreates botanical, entomological or molecular forms that she then incorporates into surprisingly abstract geometric compositions. In her Aviatrix series, oil painted bronze leaves of New Zealand native flora are arranged in exaggerated linear perspective; a ‘leaf’ becomes a ‘tree’ as the artist evokes aerial views of olive groves or elaborate formal European garden designs. Elizabeth’s innovative use of often unexpected combinations of materials include moulded and engraved fibreglass, glass bead embedded in resin and elaborate hand-formed glass elements. Although her primary reference is always the natural world, her reinterpretation and recontexualizing of these fundamental forms often results in an edgy sci-fi twist.

In 2006 Elizabeth’s exceptionally unique contribution to New Zealand art was acknowledged and celebrated with a major 20 year survey exhibition curated by Gregory O’Brien for City Art Gallery, Wellington: Elizabeth Thomson: My Hi-Fi, My Sci- Fi. This extensive exhibition toured five public venues throughout the country and was accompanied by a 50 page catalogue publication.

Mid Western Tableau
2002
Bronze, patina, oil based pigment an acrylic on board
750 x 2400mm

In The Night Garden I and II
2006
Polymer resin, fibreglass, wood and vinyl paint
1120 x 1120 x 85mm each panel

Botanical Icons
2006
Bronze, hand-formed glass, oil paint on wooden panel
360 x 360mm each

Fringe Of Heavan
2006
polymer resin, fibreglass, wood, acrylic, glass spheres & hand-formed glass elements
360mm x 360mm x 85mm each panel

Fringe Of Heavan - detail
2006
polymer resin, fibreglass, wood, acrylic, glass spheres & hand-formed glass elements
360mm x 360mm x 85mm each panel

Rangiwai (detail image)




Astrophysics Xlll (detail image)




A Night, A Day and A Night
2006
glass spheres, polymer, resin and vinyl paint on wood
2.3m x 1.5m each panel

Detail image of A Night, A Day and A Night
2006
glass spheres, polymer, resin on wood
2.3m x 1.5m each panel

Detail of - A Night, A Day and A Night
2006
Polymer, resin and vinyl paint on wood
2.3m x 1.5m each panel

The Black and Whites
2006-2007
patina, casein, oil based pigment, 145 bronze moths.
3.4m x 4.250m

Elizabeth Thomson - Jonquil Inteference Vlll
2007
Polymer, glass spheres, resin and wood
1200 x 1200mm

Jonquil Inteference Vlll - (detail)
2007
polymer, glass spheres, resin and wood


Rangiwai
2007
Bronze, patina, casein, flamed lime wash on fibre-cement panel
900 x 1230mm

Astrophysics Xlll
2008
Zinc, oil based pigment, acrylic on board
300mm

Botanical Icon
2006
Bronze, hand-formed glass, oil paint on panel
360 x 360mm

Botanical Icon (detail)




My Hi Fi, My Si Fi
2003
Hand formed glass elements, casein, vinyl wall coverings on wood
370 x 895 x 100mm

Astrophysics Xll (detail image)




My Hi Fi, My Si Fi - (detail image)




Mid Western Tableau - (detail image)




Astrophysics Xl (detail image)




Climbers Summer 1951
2008
Bronze, patina and acrylic on board
1200 x 1000mm

Climbers Summer 1951 (detail image)




Astrophysics Xll
2008
Zinc, oil based pigment and acrylic on baord
450mm

Astrophysics XlV (detail image)




Astrophysics XlV
2008
Zinc, oil based pigment and acrylic on board
300mm in diameter

Astrophysics XlV (detail image)

This is a detail image of Astrophysics XlV


Interference ll
2006
Polymer, resin, fibreglass, acrylic
750 x 1950 x 80mm

Tattoo Frenzy, Thistle Down
2007
Engraved ploymer resin with vinyl paint
500x 800mm



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