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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.

The Black and Whites
2006-07
patinated bronze, casein & oil paint on board 145 bronze moths
dimensions variable (approx 4100 x 4450mm)

The Black and Whites (detail)




The Black and Whites (installation view)




Ant's Head
1993
bronze, patina & casein on board
2400 x 1120 x 80mm

Ant's Head (detail)




Ant's Head (installation view)




Voyage Sauvage
2009
hand formed glass & acrylic on wood
1200 x 1200 x 100mm

Voyage Sauvage (detail)




Another Green World
2008
hand formed glass, glass spheres, vinyl paint, polymer resin & fibre glass on wood
360 x 360 x 100mm

Another Green World (detail)




Untitled I
2007
patinated bronze, casein & oil paint on board
360 x 360mm

Untitled I (detail)




Jonquil Inteference Vlll
2007
glass spheres, polymer, resin & paint on wood
1200 x 1200mm

Jonquil Inteference Vlll (detail)




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

A Night, A Day and A Night (detail)




A Night, A Day and A Night (detail)




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

Rangiwai (detail)




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

My Hi Fi, My Si Fi (detail)




Climbers Summer 1951
2008
bronze, patina & acrylic on board
1200 x 1000mm

Climbers Summer 1951 (detail)




Botanical Icons
2006
bronze, hand-formed glass & oil paint on wooden panel
360 x 360mm (each)

Botanical Icon (detail)




Astrophysics XlV
2008
zinc, oil based pigment & acrylic on board
300mm (diameter)

Astrophysics XlV (detail)




Astrophysics II, VII
2008
zinc, oil based pigment & acrylic on board
1200mm (diameter)

Astrophysics ll, Vll (detail)




Astrophysicsll, Vll (installation)




Astrophysics Series ll Vlll
2008
Zinc, oil paint, lacquer and acrylic on wood
1200 in diameter

Astrophysics Series ll Vlll (detail)




Astrophysics Series ll Vlll (installation)




Supposition Part l, Part ll
2003
bronze, patina, oil based pigment, casein, pokered meranti ply & linen paper on ply
1270 x 2445 x 50mm

Supposition Part 1, Part 2 (detail)






Home Artists Exhibitions Stockroom Editions

16 buckingham st. arrowtown. new zealand.
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